Server, gaming system, and control method of the server

ABSTRACT

An object of the present invention is to provide a server, a gaming system, and a control method of the server capable of adding a new feature to a payout related to a jackpot to produce a new entertainment property. 
     The present invention provides a server programmed to execute the processing of: storing a first resource data and a second resource data that is different from the first resource data; providing game media to the gaming machine when a predetermined condition is satisfied, based on the first resource data, and reducing an amount of game media indicated by the first resource data; and providing game media to the gaming machine when the predetermined condition is satisfied after the amount of game media indicated by the first resource data has been reduced to the predetermined amount or less, based on the second resource data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims a priority from the priorJapanese Patent Application No. 2009-214763 filed on Sep. 16, 2009, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a server, a gaming system, and acontrol method of the server.

2. Discussion of the Background

There have been provided gaming machines such as slot machinesconducting a payout called jackpot. When a player wins a jackpot, theplayer can get a large amount of game media at one time. Among suchjackpots, there exists a jackpot called progressive jackpot as disclosedin Patent Document 1.

In a game providing a payout called progressive jackpot, a part of gamemedia inserted by a player is accumulated and when the player wins aprogressive jackpot, the accumulated game media is paid out.

Further, there have been provided gaming systems in which a plurality ofgaming machines are linked by a network, as disclosed in PatentDocuments 2 to 5. Among such gaming systems, there exists a gamingsystem in which a part of game media inserted at each gaming machine isstored and the stored game media is paid out to the gaming machine atwhich the player has won a progressive jackpot.

[Patent Documents]

Patent Document 1: WO 99/03078

Patent Document 2: U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,700

Patent Document 3: U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,162

Patent Document 4: U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,568

Patent Document 5: U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,332

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

When playing on the gaming system conducting a payout related to thejackpot as above described, a player normally plays a game with anexpectation for such payouts.

Against this background, the present inventors have arrived at an ideathat addition of a new feature concerning a payout related to a jackpotmay produce a new entertainment property.

An object of the present invention is to provide a server, a gamingsystem, and a control method of the server provided with a newentertainment property.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides thefollowing.

(1) A server comprising

a processor and a memory device provided with a first storage area and asecond storage area and

being capable of communicating with a gaming machine,

the processor programmed to execute the processing of:

(A) storing a data in accordance with an amount of game media betted inthe gaming machine as a first resource data into the first storage areaprovided in the memory device;

(B) storing a second resource data indicative of an amount of game mediaand being different from the first resource data, into the secondstorage area provided in the memory device;

(C) providing game media to the gaming machine when a predeterminedcondition is satisfied, based on the first resource data stored in thefirst storage area, and reducing an amount of game media indicated bythe first resource data stored in the first storage area;

(D) determining whether or not the amount of game media indicated by thefirst resource data stored in the first storage area has been reduced inthe processing (C) to a predetermined amount or less; and

(E) providing game media to the gaming machine when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied after determining in the processing (D) that theamount of game media has been reduced to the predetermined amount orless, based on the second resource data stored in the processing (B)into the second storage area.

According to the invention of (1), when a predetermined condition issatisfied (e.g. when the total amount of game media betted in one gamingmachine has reached the predetermined amount), game media is providedbased on the first resource data and the amount of game media indicatedby the first resource data is reduced. Namely, the game media indicatedby the first resource data is used as a resource of the payout. Further,when the predetermined condition is satisfied after the amount of gamemedia indicated by the first resource data has been reduced to thepredetermined amount or less, game media is provided based on the secondresource data.

Accordingly, even when the amount of game media indicated by the firstresource data becomes small, it is possible to pay out game media byusing the game media indicated by the second resource data as aresource. Consequently, it is possible to maintain the player'sexpectation for the payout of game media to be conducted when thepredetermined condition is satisfied.

The present invention provides the following.

(2) The server according to (1) mentioned above,

wherein

the processing (C) includes

providing game media to the gaming machine in a common game to beexecuted when the predetermined condition is satisfied, based on thefirst resource data stored in the first storage area, and reducing theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data stored in thefirst storage area, and

the processing (E) includes

providing game media to the gaming machine in the common game, when thepredetermined condition is satisfied after determining in the processing(D) that the amount of game media has been reduced to the predeterminedamount or less, based on the second resource data stored in theprocessing (B) into the second storage area.

According to the invention of (2), a common game is executed when thepredetermined condition is satisfied and game media is provided in thecommon game. Accordingly, the player is allowed to play a game with anexpectation for an occurrence of the common game.

Since it is possible to pay out game media by using the game mediaindicated by the second resource data as a resource even when the amountof game media indicated by the first resource data becomes small, it ispossible to maintain the player's expectation for the common game.

The present invention provides the following.

(3) The server according to (1) mentioned above,

wherein

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of

(F) outputting an image or sound for notifying a player only of theamount of game media indicated by the first resource date, out of theamounts of game media indicated by the first resource data and theamounts of game media indicated by the second resource data, from anoutput device connected to the server or an output device provided inthe gaming machine,

the processing (E) includes

(E-1) outputting an image or sound for notifying the player of theamount of game media based on the second resource data stored in theprocessing (B) into the second storage area from the output deviceinstead of executing the processing (F), when determining in theprocessing (D) that the amount of game media has been reduced to thepredetermined amount or less, and

(E-2) providing game media to the gaming machine when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied after executing the processing (E-1), based onthe second resource data stored in the processing (B) into the secondstorage area.

According to the invention of (3), an image or sound notifies the playerof the amount of game media indicated by the first resource data. Thisallows the player to know the amount of game media that may be providedwhen the predetermined condition is satisfied. A larger amount of gamemedia indicated by the image or sound may normally increase the player'sexpectation for the satisfaction of the predetermined condition.

On the other hand, the predetermined condition is satisfied to reducethe amount of game media indicated by the first resource data, theplayer's expectation for another satisfaction of the predeterminedcondition may be reduced. In this regard, according to the invention of(3), the player is notified of the amount of game media indicated by thesecond resource data after the amount of game media indicated by thefirst resource data has been reduced to the predetermined amount orless. This maintains the player's expectation for the satisfaction ofthe predetermined condition.

Further, according to the invention of (3), the player is notified ofthe amount of game media indicated by the first resource data until theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data is reduced tothe predetermined amount. Then, the player is suddenly notified of theamount of game media indicated by the second resource data when theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data has beenreduced to the predetermined amount or less. This may surprise theplayer and the player may feel as if he or she has found secret savings.As a result, it is possible to provide a more interesting game to allowthe player to be absorbed in the game.

The present invention provides the following.

(4) A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming machines;

a server including a processor and a memory device provided with a firststorage area and a second storage area; and

a network enabling communication between the gaming machines and theserver,

the processor programmed to execute the processing of:

(A) storing a data in accordance with an amount of game media betted ineach of the gaming machines as a first resource data, into the firststorage area provided in the memory device;

(B) storing a second resource data indicative of an amount of game mediaand being different from the first resource data into the second storagearea provided in the memory device;

(C) providing game media to each of the gaming machines when apredetermined condition is satisfied, based on the first resource datastored in the first storage area, and reducing an amount of game mediaindicated by the first resource data stored in the first storage area;

(D) determining whether or not the amount of game media indicated by thefirst resource data stored in the first storage area has been reduced inthe processing (C) to a predetermined amount or less; and

(E) providing game media to each of the gaming machines when thepredetermined condition is satisfied after determining in the processing(D) that the amount of game media has been reduced to the predeterminedamount or less, based on the second resource data stored in theprocessing (B) into the second storage area.

According to the invention of (4), when a predetermined condition issatisfied (e.g. when the total amount of game media betted in one gamingmachine has reached the predetermined amount), game media is providedbased on the first resource data and the amount of game media indicatedby the first resource data is reduced. Namely, the game media indicatedby the first resource data is used as a resource of the payout. Further,when the predetermined condition is satisfied after the amount of gamemedia indicated by the first resource data has been reduced to thepredetermined amount or less, game media is provided based on the secondresource data.

Accordingly, even when the amount of game media indicated by the firstresource data becomes small, it is possible to pay out game media byusing the game media indicated by the second resource data as aresource. Consequently, it is possible to maintain the player'sexpectation for the payout of game media to be conducted when thepredetermined condition is satisfied.

The present invention provides the following.

(5) The gaming system according to (4) mentioned above,

wherein

each of the gaming machines comprises an input device and a controller,

the controller is programmed to execute the processing of:

(a) accepting an input made with use of the input device for bettinggame media; and

(b) transmitting bet information indicative of an amount of the gamemedia betted in the processing (a) to the processor,

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of

(F) receiving the bet information transmitted in the processing (b), and

the processing (A) includes

storing a data indicative of an amount of game media obtained by addinga part of the amount of game media indicated by the bet informationreceived in the processing (F) to the amount of game media indicated bythe first resource data stored in the first storage area provided in thememory device, as a new first resource data into the first storage area.

According to the invention of (5), a part of the amount of game mediabetted in each of the gaming machines is accumulated. The first resourcedata indicates the amount of game media thus accumulated. When thepredetermined condition is satisfied, game media is provided based onthe first resource data. Accordingly, the player having received thegame media when the predetermined condition is satisfied may feel as ifa part of the game media betted by other players is paid out to him orher. This may offer a sense of superiority and satisfaction to theplayer.

The present invention provides the following.

(6) The gaming system according to (4) mentioned above,

wherein

each of the gaming machines comprises an input device and a controller,

the controller is programmed to execute the processing of:

(a) accepting an input made with use of the input device for bettinggame media;

(b) transmitting bet information indicative of an amount of the gamemedia betted in the processing (a) to the processor,

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of

(F) receiving the bet information transmitted in the processing (b), and

the processing (B) includes

storing a data indicative of an amount of game media obtained by addinga part of the amount of game media indicated by the bet informationreceived in the processing (F) to the amount of game media indicated bythe second resource data stored in the second storage area provided inthe memory device, as a new second resource data into the second storagearea.

According to the invention of (6), a part of the amount of game mediabetted in each of the gaming machines is accumulated. The secondresource data indicates the amount of game media thus accumulated.Accordingly, every time the player places a bet in the gaming machine,the amount of game media indicated by the second resource data isdefinitely increased. Consequently, the player can prepare for the casewhere the amount of the game media indicated by the first resource databecomes small.

The present invention provides the following.

(7) The gaming system according to (5) mentioned above,

wherein

the processing (A) includes

storing a data indicative of the amount of game media obtained by addinga predetermined percentage of the amount of game media indicated by thebet information received in the processing (F) to the amount of gamemedia indicated by the first resource data stored in the first storagearea provided in the memory device, as a new first resource data intothe first storage area, and

the processing (B) includes

storing a data indicative of an amount of game media obtained by addinga specific percentage, which is different from the predeterminedpercentage, of the amount of game media indicated by the bet informationreceived in the processing (F) to the amount of game media indicated bythe second resource data stored in the second storage area provided inthe memory device, as a new second resource data into the second storagearea.

According to the invention of (7), a predetermined percentage of theamount of game media betted in each of the gaming machines isaccumulated. The first resource data indicates the amount of game mediathus accumulated. When the predetermined condition is satisfied, gamemedia is provided based on such first resource data. Accordingly, theplayer having received the game media when the predetermined conditionis satisfied may feel as if a part of the game media betted by otherplayers is paid out to him or her. This may offer a sense of superiorityand satisfaction to the player.

Further, according to the invention of (7), a specific percentage of theamount of game media betted in each of the gaming machines isaccumulated. The second resource data indicates the amount of game mediathus accumulated. Accordingly, every time the player places a bet in thegaming machine, the amount of game media indicated by the secondresource data is definitely increased. Consequently, the player canprepare for the case where the amount of the game media indicated by thefirst resource data becomes small.

The present invention provides the following.

(8) The gaming system according to (4) mentioned above,

wherein

each of the gaming machines comprises an input device and a controller,

the controller is programmed to execute the processing of:

(a) accepting an input made with use of the input device for bettinggame media; and

(b) transmitting bet information indicative of an amount of the gamemedia betted in the processing (a) to the processor,

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of:

(F) receiving the bet information transmitted in the processing (b); and

(G) accumulating an amount in accordance with the amount of game mediaindicated by the bet information received in the processing (F), inassociation with a gaming machine as a transmission source of the betinformation, and

the processing (C) includes

providing game media to each of the gaming machines when thepredetermined condition is satisfied, in an amount corresponding to anaccumulated bet amount in the corresponding gaming machine among theaccumulated bet amounts corresponding to the amounts of game media eachaccumulated in the processing (G) in association with one of the gamingmachines, and subtracting the amount corresponding to the accumulatedbet amount from the amount of game media indicated by the first resourcedata stored in the first storage area.

According to the invention of (8), the amount of game media to beoffered to the gaming machine when the predetermined condition issatisfied corresponds to the accumulated bet amount in the correspondinggaming machine. Accordingly, if the player bets a larger amount of gamemedia, he or she can receive a larger amount of game media when thepredetermined condition is satisfied. Therefore, it is possible toencourage the player to bet a large amount of game media. As a result,it is possible to facilitate the profit increase of the game facility.

However, in the case where the player having betted a large amount ofgame media receives game media when the predetermined condition issatisfied, the amount of game media indicated by the first resource datais reduced correspondingly. Then, players' expectation for thesatisfaction of the predetermined condition may be reduced.

In this regard, according to the invention of (8), even in the casewhere the amount of game media indicated by the first resource databecomes small, the game media indicated by the second resource data canbe used as a resource of the payout. Therefore, it is possible tomaintain the player's expectation for the payout of game media to beconducted when the predetermined condition is satisfied.

The present invention provides the following.

(9) The gaming system according to (4) mentioned above,

wherein

the processing (C) includes

providing game media to each of the gaming machines in a common game tobe executed when the predetermined condition is satisfied, based on thefirst resource data stored in the first storage area, and reducing theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data stored in thefirst storage area,

the processing (E) includes

providing game media to each of the gaming machines in the common game,when the predetermined condition is satisfied after determining in theprocessing (D) that the amount of game media has been reduced to thepredetermined amount or less, based on the second resource data storedin the processing (B) into the second storage area.

According to the invention of (9), a common game is executed when thepredetermined condition is satisfied, and game media is provided in thecommon game. Accordingly, the player is allowed to play a game with anexpectation for an occurrence of the common game.

In addition, even when the amount of game media indicated by the firstresource data becomes small, game media indicated by the second resourcedata can be used as a resource of the payout, and therefore, it ispossible to maintain the player's expectation for the common game.

The present invention provides the following.

(10) The gaming system according to (4) mentioned above,

wherein

the gaming system further includes an output device connected to theserver or an output device provided in each of the gaming machines,

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of

(F) outputting an image or sound for notifying a player only of theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data, out of theamounts of game media indicated by the first resource data and theamounts of game media indicated by the second resource data, from theoutput device,

the processing (E) includes

(E-1) outputting an image or sound for notifying the player of theamount of game media based on the second resource data stored in theprocessing (B) into the second storage area from the output deviceinstead of executing the processing (F), when determining in theprocessing (D) that the amount of game media has been reduced to thepredetermined amount or less, and

(E-2) providing game media to each of the gaming machines when thepredetermined condition is satisfied after executing the processing(E-1), based on the second resource data stored in the second storagearea in the processing (B).

According to the invention of (10), an image or sound notifies theplayer of the amount of game media indicated by the first resource data.This allows the player to know the amount of game media that may beprovided when the predetermined condition is satisfied. A larger amountof game media indicated by the image or sound may normally increase theplayer's expectation for the satisfaction of the predeterminedcondition.

On the other hand, when the predetermined condition has been satisfiedto reduce the amount of game media indicated by the first resource data,the player's expectation for another satisfaction of the predeterminedcondition may be reduced. In this regard, according to the invention of(10), the player is notified of the amount of game media indicated bythe second resource data after the amount of game media indicated by thefirst resource data is reduced to the predetermined amount or less. Thismaintains the player's expectation for the satisfaction of thepredetermined condition.

Further, according to the invention of (10), the player is notified ofthe amount of game media indicated by the first resource data until theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data is reduced tothe predetermined amount. Then, the player is suddenly notified of theamount of game media indicated by the second resource data when theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data has beenreduced to the predetermined amount or less. This may surprise theplayer and the player may feel as if he or she has found secret savings.As a result, it is possible to provide a more interesting game to allowthe player to be absorbed in the game.

The present invention provides the following.

(11) A control method of a server comprising a processor and a memorydevice provided with a first storage area and a second storage area andbeing capable of communicating with a gaming machine,

the method comprising:

(A) the processor storing a data in accordance with an amount of gamemedia betted in the gaming machine as a first resource data into thefirst storage area provided in the memory device;

(B) the processor storing a second resource data indicative of an amountof game media and being different from the first resource data, into thesecond storage area provided in the memory device;

(C) the processor providing game media to the gaming machine when apredetermined condition is satisfied, based on the first resource datastored in the first storage area, and reducing the amount of game mediaindicated by the first resource data stored in the first storage area;

(D) the processor determining whether or not the amount of game mediaindicated by the first resource data stored in the first storage areahas been reduced in the step (C) to a predetermined amount or less; and

(E) the processor providing game media to the gaming machine when thepredetermined condition is satisfied after determining in the step (D)that the amount of game media has been reduced to the predeterminedamount or less, based on the second resource data stored in the secondstorage area in the step (B).

According to the invention of (11), when a predetermined condition issatisfied (e.g. when the total amount of game media betted in one gamingmachine has reached the predetermined amount), game media is providedbased on the first resource data and the amount of game media indicatedby the first resource data is reduced. Namely, the game media indicatedby the first resource data is used as a resource of the payout. Further,when the predetermined condition is satisfied after the amount of gamemedia indicated by the first resource data has been reduced to thepredetermined amount or less, game media is provided based on the secondresource data.

Accordingly, even when the amount of game media indicated by the firstresource data becomes small, it is possible to pay out game media byusing the game media indicated by the second resource data as aresource. Consequently, it is possible to maintain the player'sexpectation for the payout of game media to be conducted when thepredetermined condition is satisfied.

The present invention provides the following.

(12) A server comprising

a processor and a memory device provided with a first storage area and asecond storage area and

being capable of communicating with a gaming machine,

the processor programmed to execute the processing of:

(A) storing a data in accordance with an amount of game media betted inthe gaming machine as a first resource data into the first storage areaprovided in the memory device;

(B) determining whether or not an amount of game media indicated by thefirst resource data stored in the processing (A) into the first storagearea has reached a predetermined amount;

(C) storing a data in accordance with an amount of game media betted inthe gaming machine after determining in the processing (B) that theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data has reachedthe predetermined amount, as an overflow data into the second storagearea provided in the memory device; and

(D) providing game media to the gaming machine when a predeterminedcondition is satisfied, based on the overflow data stored in theprocessing (C) into the second storage area.

According to the invention of (12), the amount in accordance with theamount of game media betted in the gaming machine is accumulated in thefirst storage area. The first resource data indicates the amount of gamemedia thus accumulated.

After the amount of game media indicated by the first resource data hasreached the predetermined amount, the amount in accordance with theamount of game media betted in the gaming machine is accumulated in thesecond storage area. The overflow data indicates the amount of gamemedia thus accumulated. When the predetermined condition is satisfied,game media is provided based on the overflow data.

Accordingly, even after the amount of game media indicated by the firstresource data has reached the predetermined amount, game media betted inthe gaming machine is accumulated ongoingly. The accumulated game mediais used as a resource of the payout when the predetermined condition issatisfied. This can surprise the player who may think that theaccumulation of game media has been terminated because the amount ofgame media indicated by the first resource data has reached thepredetermined amount. As a result, it is possible to provide a moreinteresting game to allow the player to be absorbed in the game.

The present invention provides the following.

(13) The server according to (12) mentioned above,

wherein

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of:

(E) providing game media to the gaming machine when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied, based on the first resource data stored in thefirst storage area, and reducing the amount of game media indicated bythe first resource data stored in the first storage area; and

(F) determining whether or not the amount of game media indicated by thefirst resource data stored in the first storage area has been reduced inthe processing (E) to a predetermined amount, and

the processing (D) includes

providing game media to the gaming machine when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied after determining in the processing (F) that theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data has beenreduced to the predetermined amount or less, based on the overflow datastored in the processing (C) into the second storage area.

According to the invention of (13), when the predetermined condition issatisfied, game media is provided based on the first resource data andthe amount of game media indicated by the first resource data isreduced. Namely, the game media indicated by the first resource data isused as a resource of the payout. Further, when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied after the amount of game media indicated by thefirst resource data has been reduced to the predetermined amount orless, game media is provided based on the overflow data.

Accordingly, even when the amount of game media indicated by the firstresource data becomes small, it is possible to pay out game media byusing the game media indicated by the overflow data as a resource.Consequently, it is possible to maintain the player's expectation forthe payout of game media to be conducted when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied.

The present invention provides the following.

(14) The server according to (13) mentioned above,

wherein

the processing (E) includes

providing game media to the gaming machine in a common game to beexecuted when the predetermined condition is satisfied, based on thefirst resource data stored in the first storage area, and reducing theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data stored in thefirst storage area, and

the processing (D) includes

providing game media to the gaming machine in the common game when thepredetermined condition is satisfied after determining in the processing(F) that the amount of game media indicated by the first resource datahas been reduced to the predetermined amount or less, based on theoverflow data stored in the processing (C) into the second storage area.

According to the invention of (14), a common game is executed when thepredetermined condition is satisfied and game media is provided in thecommon game. Accordingly, the player is allowed to play a game with anexpectation for an occurrence of the common game.

Since it is possible to pay out game media by using the game mediaindicated by the overflow data as a resource even when the amount ofgame media indicated by the first resource data becomes small, it ispossible to maintain the player's expectation for the common game.

The present invention provides the following.

(15) The server according to (13) mentioned above,

wherein

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of

(G) outputting an image or sound for notifying a player only of theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data out of theamounts of game media indicated by the first resource data and by theoverflow data, from an output device connected to the server or anoutput device provided in the gaming machine, and

the processing (D) includes

(D-1) outputting an image or sound for notifying the player of theamount of game media based on the overflow data stored in the processing(C) into the second storage area from the output device instead ofexecuting the processing (G), when determining in the processing (F)that the amount of game media indicated by the first resource data hasbeen reduced to the predetermined amount or less, and

(D-2) providing game media to the gaming machine when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied after executing the processing (D-1), based onthe overflow data stored in the processing (C) into the second storagearea.

According to the invention of (15), an image or sound notifies theplayer of the amount of game media indicated by the first resource data.This allows the player to know the amount of game media that may beprovided when the predetermined condition is satisfied. A larger amountof game media indicated by the image or sound may normally increase theplayer's expectation for the satisfaction of the predeterminedcondition.

On the other hand, when the predetermined condition is satisfied toreduce the amount of game media indicated by the first resource data,the player's expectation for another satisfaction of the predeterminedcondition may be reduced. In this regard, according to the invention of(15), the player is notified of the amount of game media indicated bythe overflow data after the amount of game media indicated by the firstresource data has been reduced to the predetermined amount or less. Thismaintains the player's expectation for the satisfaction of thepredetermined condition.

Further, according to the invention of (15), the player is notified ofthe amount of game media indicated by the first resource data until theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data is reduced tothe predetermined amount. Then, the player is suddenly notified of theamount of game media indicated by the overflow data when the amount ofgame media indicated by the first resource data has been reduced to thepredetermined amount or less. This may surprise the player and theplayer may feel as if he or she has found secret savings. As a result,it is possible to provide a more interesting game to allow the player tobe absorbed in the game.

The present invention provides the following.

(16) A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming machines each provided with an input device and acontroller;

a server provided with a processor and a memory device provided with afirst storage area and a second storage area; and

a network enabling communication between the gaming machines and theserver,

the controller programmed to execute the processing of:

(a) accepting an input made with use of the input device for bettinggame media; and

(b) transmitting bet information indicative of an amount of the gamemedia betted in the processing (a) to the processor,

the processor programmed to execute the processing of

(A) receiving the bet information transmitted in the processing (b);

(B) storing data in accordance with the amount of game media indicatedby the bet information received in the processing (A) as a firstresource data into the first storage area provided in the memory device;

(C) determining whether or not the amount of game media indicated by thefirst resource data stored in the processing (B) into the first storagearea has reached a predetermined amount;

(D) storing data in accordance with the amount of game media betted inthe gaming machine after determining in the processing (C) that theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data has reachedthe predetermined amount, as an overflow data into the second storagearea provided in the memory device; and

(E) providing game media to the gaming machine when a predeterminedcondition is satisfied, based on the overflow data stored in theprocessing (D) into the second storage area.

According to the invention of (16), the amount in accordance with theamount of game media betted in the gaming machine is accumulated in thefirst storage area. The first resource indicates the amount of gamemedia thus accumulated.

After the amount of game media indicated by the first resource hasreached the predetermined amount, the amount in accordance with theamount of game media betted in the gaming machine is accumulated in thesecond storage area. The overflow data indicates the amount of gamemedia thus accumulated. When the predetermined condition is satisfied,game media is provided based on the overflow data.

Accordingly, even after the amount of game media indicated by the firstresource data has reached the predetermined amount, game media betted inthe gaming machine is accumulated ongoingly. The accumulated game mediais used as a resource of the payout when the predetermined condition issatisfied. This can surprise the player who may think that theaccumulation of game media has been terminated because the amount ofgame media indicated by the first resource data has reached thepredetermined amount. As a result, it is possible to provide a moreinteresting game to allow the player to be absorbed in the game.

The present invention provides the following.

(17) The gaming system according to (16) mentioned above,

wherein

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of:

(F) providing game media to the gaming machine when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied, based on the first resource data stored in thefirst storage area, and reducing the amount of game media indicated bythe first resource data stored in the first storage area; and

(G) determining whether or not the amount of game media indicated by thefirst resource data stored in the first storage area has been reduced inthe processing (F) to a predetermined amount or less, and

the processing (E) includes

providing game media to the gaming machine when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied after determining in the processing (G) that theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data has beenreduced to the predetermined amount or less based on the overflow datastored in the processing (D) into the second storage area.

According to the invention of (17), when the predetermined condition issatisfied, game media is provided based on the first resource data andthe amount of game media indicated by the first resource data isreduced. Namely, the game media indicated by the first resource data isused as a resource of the payout. Further, when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied after the amount of game media indicated by thefirst resource data has been reduced to the predetermined amount orless, game media is provided based on the overflow data.

Accordingly, even when the amount of game media indicated by the firstresource data becomes small, it is possible to pay out game media byusing the game media indicated by the overflow data as a resource.Consequently, it is possible to maintain the player's expectation forthe payout of game media to be conducted when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied.

The present invention provides the following.

(18) The gaming system according to (16) mentioned above,

wherein

the processing (F) includes

providing game media to the gaming machine in a common game to beexecuted when the predetermined condition is satisfied, based on thefirst resource data stored in the first storage area, and reducing theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data stored in thefirst storage area, and

the processing (E) includes

providing game media to the gaming machine in the common game when thepredetermined condition is satisfied after determining in the processing(G) that the amount of game media indicated by the first resource datahas been reduced to the predetermined amount or less, based on theoverflow data stored in the processing (C) into the second storage area.

According to the invention of (18), a common game is executed when thepredetermined condition is satisfied and game media is provided in thecommon game. Accordingly, the player is allowed to play a game with anexpectation for an occurrence of the common game.

Since it is possible to pay out game media by using the game mediaindicated by the overflow data as a resource even when the amount ofgame media indicated by the first resource data becomes small, it ispossible to maintain the player's expectation for the common game.

The present invention provides the following.

(19) The gaming system according to (16) mentioned above,

wherein

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of

(H) outputting an image or sound for notifying a player only of theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data out of theamounts of game media indicated by the first resource data and by theoverflow data, from an output device connected to the server or anoutput device provided in the gaming machine, and

the processing (E) includes

(E-1) outputting an image or sound for notifying the player of theamount of game media based on the overflow data stored in the processing(D) into the second storage area from the output device instead ofexecuting the processing (H), when determining in the processing (G)that the amount of game media indicated by the first resource data hasbeen reduced to the predetermined amount or less, and

(E-2) providing game media to the gaming machine when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied after executing the processing (E-1), based onthe overflow data stored in the processing (D) into the second storagearea.

According to the invention of (19), an image or sound notifies theplayer of the amount of game media indicated by the first resource data.This allows the player to know the amount of game media that may beprovided when the predetermined condition is satisfied. A larger amountof game media indicated by the image or sound may normally increase theplayer's expectation for the satisfaction of the predeterminedcondition.

On the other hand, when the predetermined condition is satisfied toreduce the amount of game media indicated by the first resource data,the player's expectation for another satisfaction of the predeterminedcondition may be reduced. In this regard, according to the invention of(19), the player is notified of the amount of game media indicated bythe overflow data after the amount of game media indicated by the firstresource data has been reduced to the predetermined amount or less. Thismaintains the player's expectation for the satisfaction of thepredetermined condition.

Further, according to the invention of (19), the player is notified ofthe amount of game media indicated by the first resource data until theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data is reduced tothe predetermined amount. Then, the player is suddenly notified of theamount of game media indicated by the overflow data when the amount ofgame media indicated by the first resource data has been reduced to thepredetermined amount or less. This may surprise the player and theplayer may feel as if he or she has found secret savings. As a result,it is possible to provide a more interesting game to allow the player tobe absorbed in the game.

The present invention provides the following.

(20) A control method of a server comprising a processor and a memorydevice provided with a first storage area and a second storage area andbeing capable of communicating with a gaming machine,

the method comprising the steps of:

(A) the processor storing a data in accordance with an amount of gamemedia betted in the gaming machine as a first resource data into thefirst storage area provided in the memory device;

(B) the processor determining whether or not an amount of game mediastored in the processing (A) into the first storage area;

(C) the processor storing a data in accordance with the amount of gamemedia betted in the gaming machine after determining in the step (B)that the amount of game media indicated by the first resource data hasreached the predetermined amount, as an overflow data into a secondstorage area provided in the memory device; and

(D) the processor providing game media to the gaming machine when apredetermined condition is satisfied, based on the overflow data storedin the step (C) into the second storage area.

According to the invention of (20), the amount in accordance with theamount of game media betted in the gaming machine is accumulated in thefirst storage area. The first resource data indicates the amount of gamemedia thus accumulated.

After the amount of game media indicated by the first resource data hasreached the predetermined amount, the amount in accordance with theamount of game media betted in the gaming machine is accumulated in thesecond storage area. The overflow data indicates the amount of gamemedia thus accumulated. When the predetermined condition is satisfied,game media is provided based on the overflow data.

Accordingly, even after the amount of game media indicated by the firstresource data has reached the predetermined amount, game media betted inthe gaming machine is accumulated ongoingly. The accumulated game mediais used as a resource of the payout when the predetermined condition issatisfied. This can surprise the player who may think that theaccumulation of game media has been terminated because the amount ofgame media indicated by the first resource data has reached thepredetermined amount. As a result, it is possible to provide a moreinteresting game to allow the player to be absorbed in the game.

The present invention provides the following.

(21) A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming machines each provided with a terminal-side inputdevice and a controller;

a server provided with a processor;

a management-side input device connected with the server; and

a network enabling communication between the gaming machines and theserver,

the controller programmed to execute the processing of:

(a) accepting an input made with use of the terminal-side input devicefor betting game media; and

(b) transmitting bet information indicative of an amount of game mediabetted in the processing (a),

the processor programmed to execute the processing of:

(A) accepting an input made with use of the management-side input devicefor configuring a setting related to a common game;

(B) receiving the bet information transmitted in the processing (b);

(C) executing a common game based on the bet information received in theprocessing (B) and the setting related to the common game configured inthe processing (A).

According to the invention of (21), a common game is executed based onthe setting related to the common game configured with use of themanagement-side input device. Examples of the setting related to thecommon game include a setting related to a condition for triggering anoccurrence of the common game and a setting related to the amount ofgame media to be provided in the common game. A manager of a gamefacility such as casino, in which the gaming system is installed, canconfigure the setting related to the common game by using themanagement-side input device. Accordingly, the manager is allowed tomaintain the game facility quickly and easily so that the best commongame corresponding to their management strategy is executed.

The present invention provides the following.

(22) The gaming system according to (21) above mentioned,

wherein

the processing (A) includes

accepting an input made with use of the management-side input device forsetting a funding percentage for accumulating a part of the betted gamemedia, and

the processing (C) includes

(C-1) accumulating the amount of game media corresponding to the fundingpercentage set in the processing (A) of the amount of game mediaindicated by the bet information received in the processing (B); and

(C-2) providing game media to the gaming machine in the common gamebased on the amount of game media accumulated in the processing (C-1).

According to the invention of (22), the amount of game mediacorresponding to the funding percentage, which has been set with use ofthe management-side input device, of the amount of game media betted inthe gaming machine is accumulated. In the common game, game media isprovided based on the amount of game media thus accumulated. Namely, theaccumulated game media is used as a resource of the payout in the commongame.

A manager of a game facility can set the funding percentage by using themanagement-side input device. For example, at the time of the day or onthe day of week, when less gaming machines tend to be operated, it ispossible to secure the resource for the payout in the common game bysetting a larger funding percentage. On the other hand, at the time ofthe day or on the day of week, when more gaming machines tend to beoperated, it is possible to set a smaller funding percentage andincrease the profit of the game facility by that amount.

Accordingly, the manager is allowed to maintain the game facilityquickly and easily so that the best funding percentage corresponding totheir management strategy is set.

The present invention provides the following.

(23) The gaming system according to (21) mentioned above, wherein

the processing (A) includes

accepting an input made with use of the management-side input device forsetting a range of the accumulated amount corresponding to the amount ofgame media for triggering an occurrence of the common game,

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of

(D) specifying the accumulated amount within the range set in theprocessing (A),

the processing (C) includes:

(C-1) accumulating the amount in accordance with the amount of gamemedia indicated by the bet information received in the processing (B),in association with a gaming machine as a transmission source of the betinformation; and

(C-2) executing the common game when any of accumulated bet amountscorresponding to the amounts of game media each accumulated in theprocessing (C-1) for one of the gaming machines has reached theaccumulated amount specified in the processing (D).

According to the invention of (23), the amount in accordance with theamount of game media betted in each of the gaming machines isaccumulated in association with the gaming machine. Then, the commongame is executed when any of the accumulated bet amounts correspondingto the amounts of game media each accumulated for one of the gamingmachines has reached the accumulated amount. The accumulated amount isspecified within the range set with use of the management-side inputdevice (by a lottery, for example).

A manager of a game facility can set the range of the accumulated amount(also referred to as “setting range of the accumulated amount” in thepresent description) by using the management-side input device. Forexample, in accordance with various factors such as the day of week, atime period, a season, and an economic trend, the manager can set thesetting range of the accumulated amount so as to allow a smalleraccumulated amount to be easily specified to produce a situation thatthe common game is more likely to be executed. Alternatively, themanager can set the setting range of the accumulated amount so as toallow a larger accumulated amount to be easily specified to produce asituation that the common game is less likely to be executed.

Accordingly, the manager is allowed to maintain the game facilityquickly and easily so that the best setting range of the accumulatedamount corresponding to their management strategy is set.

The present invention provides the following.

(24) The gaming system according to (21) mentioned above,

wherein

the processing (A) includes

accepting an input made with use of the management-side input device forsetting a setting amount for participation which corresponds to theamount of game media for determining the gaming machine allowed toparticipate in the common game,

the processing (C) includes:

(C-1) accumulating the amount in accordance with the amount of gamemedia indicated by the bet information received in the processing (B),in association with a gaming machine as a transmission source of the betinformation;

(C-2) determining, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, whetheror not accumulated bet amounts corresponding to the amounts of gamemedia each accumulated in the processing (C-1) in association with oneof the gaming machines has reached the setting amount for participationset in the processing (A) or more; and

(C-3) transmitting a common game execution signal to the gaming machineassociated with the accumulated bet amount that has been determined inthe processing (C-2) that it has reached the setting amount forparticipation set in the processing (A) or more,

the controller is further programmed to execute the processing of

(c) executing a common game on receiving the common game executionsignal transmitted in the processing (C-3).

According to the invention of (24), the amount in accordance with theamount of game media betted in the gaming machine is accumulated inassociation with the gaming machine. The gaming machine allowed toparticipate in the common game is a gaming machine in which theaccumulated bet amount corresponding to the amount of game mediaaccumulated in association with that gaming machine has reached thesetting amount for participation set with use of the management-sideinput device or more.

A manager of a game facility can set the setting amount forparticipation by using the management-side input device. For example, atthe time of the day or on the day of week, when less gaming machinestend to be operated, the manager can set a smaller setting amount forparticipation to secure the number of players participating in thecommon game, resulting in the exciting common game. On the other hand,at the time of the day or on the day of week, when more gaming machinestend to be operated, the manager can set a larger setting amount forparticipation to encourage the players that want to participate in thegame to bet more game media. Further, it is possible to provide theplayers allowed to participate in the common game with a sense ofsuperiority.

Accordingly, the manager is allowed to maintain the game facilityquickly and easily so that the best setting amount for participationcorresponding to their management strategy is set.

The present invention provides the following.

(25) The gaming system according to (21) mentioned above

wherein

the server includes a memory device capable of storing threshold dataindicative of an range which a common game-related value as a valuerelated to the common game falls within, and post-setting commongame-related value that is the common game-related value after setting,

the processing (A) includes:

(A-1) receiving a setting change signal including data indicative of thecommon game-related value from the management-side input device;

(A-2) determining whether or not the common game-related value indicatedby the data included in the setting change signal received in theprocessing (A-1) falls within the range indicated by the threshold datastored in the memory device; and

(A-3) storing data indicative of the common game-related value into thememory device as the post-setting common game-related value data, oncondition that the common game-related value indicated by the dataincluded in the setting charge signal received in the processing (A-1)falls within the range indicated by the threshold data, and

the processing (C) includes

executing a common game based on the bet information received in theprocessing (B) and the common game-related value indicated by thepost-setting common game-related value data stored in the processing(A-3).

According to the invention of (25), the common game-related valueindicated by the data included in the setting change signal is used as anew common game-related value, on condition that the common game-relatedvalue falls within the range indicated by the threshold data. Then, thecommon game is executed based on that common game-related value.

Accordingly, it is impossible to set the common game-related value notfalling within the range indicated by the threshold data. Therefore, itis possible to avoid the case where the value not intended by themanagement of the game facility is set as the common game-related valueby cheating, mistake, or the like. For example, it is possible to avoidthe case where an unexpectedly large amount of game media is paid out inthe common game.

As a result, it is possible to secure the sound operation and thecredibility of the casino.

The present invention provides the following.

(26) A control method of a gaming system comprising: a plurality ofgaming machines each provided with a terminal-side input device and acontroller; a server provided with a processor; a management-side inputdevice connected to the server; and a network enabling communicationbetween the gaming machines and the server,

the control method comprising the steps of:

(a) the controller accepting an input made with use of the terminal-sideinput device for betting game media;

(b) the controller transmitting bet information indicative of the amountof game media betted in the step (a) to the processor;

(A) the processor accepting an input made with use of themanagement-side input device for configuring a setting related to acommon game;

(B) the processor receiving the bet information transmitted in the step(b); and

(C) the processor executing a common game based on the bet informationreceived in the step (B) and the setting related to the common gameconfigured in the step (A).

According to the invention of (26), the common game is executed based onthe setting related to the common game configured with use of themanagement-side input device. Examples of the setting related to thecommon game include a setting related to a condition for triggering anoccurrence of the common game and a setting related to the amount ofgame media to be provided in the common game. A manager of a gamefacility such as casino, in which the gaming system is installed, canconfigure the setting related to the common game by using themanagement-side input device. Accordingly, the manager is allowed tomaintain the game facility quickly and easily so that the best commongame in accordance with their management strategy is executed.

The present invention provides the following.

(27) A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming machines each provided with an input

device and a controller;

a server provided with a processor; and

a network enabling communication between the gaming machines and theserver,

the controller programmed to execute the processing of:

(a) accepting an input made with use of the input device for bettinggame media; and

(b) transmitting bet information indicative of an amount of came mediabetted in the processing (a) to the processor, and

the processor programmed to execute the processing of:

(A) receiving the bet information transmitted in the processing (b);

(B) accumulating an amount in accordance with the amount of game mediaindicated by the bet information received in the processing (A);

(C) determining an amount of game media to be betted to a common game,based on the amount of game media accumulated in the processing (B);

(D) executing the common game when a predetermined condition issatisfied; and

(E) providing game media in an amount obtained based on the amount ofgame media determined in the processing (C) and a result of the commongame executed in the processing (D), to each of the gaming machines.

According to the invention of (27), the amount in accordance with theamount of game media betted in each of the gaming machines isaccumulated. Then, the amount of game media to be betted to the commongame (bet amount for common game) is determined based on the amount ofgame media thus accumulated. In the common game, game media in an amountbased on the bet amount for common game thus determined and the resultof the common game is provided.

Accordingly, the amount of game media which may be provided in thecommon game is increased along with the increase in the amount of gamemedia stored by accumulation. Therefore, the player may be greatlyinterested in the amount of stored game media. On the other hand, theresult of the common game makes a difference in whether or not theplayer actually gets game media in an amount in accordance with theamount of stored game media. Therefore, the player may be glued on thecommon game. This makes the common game more exciting.

The present invention provides the following.

(28) The gaming system according to (27) mentioned above,

wherein

the processing (B) includes

accumulating the amount in accordance with the amount of game mediaindicated by the bet information received in the processing (A), inassociation with the gaming machine as a transmission source of the betinformation.

the processing (C) includes

determining the amount of game media to be betted to the common game ineach of the gaming machines, based on the accumulated bet amountcorresponding to the amount of game media accumulated in the processing(B) for each of the gaming machines, and

the processing (E) includes

providing game media in an amount calculated with respect to each of thegaming machines based on the amount of game media determined in theprocessing (C) for each of the gaming machines and the result of thecommon game executed in the processing (D).

According to the invention of (28), the amount in accordance with theamount of game media betted in each of the gaming machines isaccumulated in association with that gaming machine. Then, the betamount for common game is determined with respect to each of the gamingmachines, based on the accumulated bet amount corresponding to theamount of game media thus accumulated for each of the gaming machines.

Accordingly, the player can bet a larger amount of game media toincrease the bet amount for common game in the gaming machine on whichhe or she plays a game. As a result, a situation may be produced wherehe or she may get a larger amount of game media. Accordingly, it ispossible to encourage the player to bet more game media.

In addition, the player having betted a larger amount of game media mayhave a stronger expectation for the good result that he or she desiresin the common game. Therefore, such players may be absorbed in thecommon game.

Further, it is possible to give the players the competition with regardto the amount of game media that may be provided in the common game.Accordingly, it is possible to provide the player who has received alarger amount of game media in the common game with a strongsatisfaction and a sense of superiority.

The present invention provides the following.

(29) The gaming system according to (27) mentioned above,

wherein

the processing (C) includes

determining the amount of game media to be betted to the common gamebased on the amount of game media accumulated in the processing (B) evenwhen an input for betting game media has not been made with use of theinput device.

According to the invention of (29), the amount of game media to bebetted to the common game is determined even when game media has notbeen betted. Namely, the player can enjoy the common game withoutfurther consuming game media. Accordingly, the player may be greatlysatisfied with an occurrence of the common game.

In addition, since the player needs not to make an operation for placinga bet to the common game, the player is allowed to concentrate on thecommon game.

The present invention provides the following.

(30) A control method of a gaming system comprising: a plurality ofgaming machines each provided with an input device and a controller; aserver provided with a processor; and a network enabling communicationbetween the gaming machines and the server,

the control method comprising the steps of:

(a) the controller accepting an input made with use of the input devicefor betting game media;

(b) the controller transmitting bet information indicative of an amountof game media betted in the step (a) to the processor;

(A) the processor receiving the bet information transmitted in the step(b);

(B) the processor accumulating the amount in accordance with the amountof game media indicated by the bet information received in the step (A);

(C) the processor determining the amount of game media to be betted to acommon game, based on an amount of game media accumulated in the step(B);

(D) the processor executing the common game when a predeterminedcondition is satisfied; and

(E) providing game media in an amount based on the amount of came mediadetermined in the step (C) and the result of the common game executed inthe step (D), to each of the gaming machines.

According to the invention of (30), the amount corresponding to theamount of game media betted in each of the gaming machines isaccumulated. Then, the amount of game media to be betted to the commongame (bet amount for common game) is determined based on the amount ofgame media thus accumulated. In the common game, game media is providedin an amount based on the bet amount for common game thus determined andthe result of the common game.

Accordingly, the amount of game media which may be provided in thecommon game is increased along with the increase in the amount of gamemedia stored by accumulation. Therefore, the player may be greatlyinterested in the amount of stored game media. On the other hand, theresult of the common game makes a difference in whether or not theplayer actually gets game media in an amount corresponding to the amountof stored game media. Therefore, the player may be glued on the commongame. This makes the common game more exciting.

The present invention provides the following.

(31) A gaming system comprising

a plurality of gaming machines each provided with an input device and acontroller;

a server provided with an input device; and

a network enabling communication between the gaming machines and theserver,

the controller programmed to execute the processing of:

(a) accepting an input made with use of the input device for making anadditional bet to participate in a common game; and

(b) transmitting an additional bet signal to the processor when theinput for making the additional bet has been made in the processing (a),

the processor programmed to execute the processing of:

(A) selecting a gaming machine satisfying a specific condition as agaming machine allowed to participate in the common game, out of theplurality of gaming machines, when a predetermined condition issatisfied;

(B) determining, when receiving the additional bet signal transmitted inthe processing (b), a gaming machine as a transmission source of theadditional bet signal as the gaming machine allowed to participate inthe common game, in addition to the gaming machine selected in theprocessing (A); and

(C) transmitting a common game execution signal to the controllerprovided in the gaming machines selected in the processing (A) anddetermined in the processing (B), and

the controller further programmed to execute the processing of

(c) executing a common game on receiving the common game executionsignal transmitted in the processing (C).

According to the invention of (31), the common game is executed also inthe gaming machine in which the additional bet has been placed, inaddition to the gaming machine satisfying a specific condition.

Accordingly, even a player playing a game on the gaming machine that isnot satisfying the specific condition can participate in the common gameby placing an additional bet, and therefore, it is possible to have theplayer feel relieved and to provide him or her with satisfaction.

On the other hand, the player playing a game on the gaming machine thatis satisfying the specific condition can participate in the common gamewithout placing an additional bet, and therefore, it is possible toprovide the player with a sense of superiority.

The present invention provides the following.

(32) The gaming system according to (31) mentioned above,

wherein

the controller is further programmed to execute the processing of

(d) accepting an input made with use of the input device for bettinggame media as a normal bet; and

(e) transmitting bet information indicative of an amount of game mediabetted in the processing (d) as the normal bet to the processor,

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of:

(D) receiving the bet information transmitted in the processing (e); and

(E) accumulating an amount in accordance with the amount of game mediaindicated by the bet information received in the processing (D), inassociation with the gaming machine as a transmission source of the betinformation,

the processing (A) includes

(A-1) determining whether or not an accumulated bet amount correspondingto the amount of game media accumulated in the processing (E) for eachof the gaming machines is equal to or more than a setting amount forparticipation with respect to each accumulated bet amount, when apredetermined condition is satisfied; and

(A-2) selecting the gaming machine associated with the accumulated betamount determined in the processing (A-1) that it is equal to or morethan the setting amount for participation, as a gaming machine allowedto participate in the common game, and

the processing (B) includes

determining, when receiving the additional bet signal transmitted in theprocessing (b) from the gaming machine associated with the accumulatedbet amount determined in the processing (A-1) that it is less than thesetting amount for participation, the gaming machine as a transmissionsource of the additional bet signal as a gaming machine to participatein the common game, in addition to the gaming machine selected in theprocessing (A).

According to the invention of (32), a condition that the total amount ofthe betted game media (accumulated bet amount) is equal to or more thanthe predetermined amount (setting amount for participation) is employedas the specific condition.

It is highly possible that the accumulated bet amount has not reachedthe setting amount for participation in the gaming machine on which agame is played only for a short time. Such a gaming machine is lesslikely to satisfy the specific condition. In this regard, according tothe invention of (32), even a player playing a game only for short timecan participate in the common game by placing an additional bet.Accordingly, the player can start playing a game any time he or shewants.

Further, it is possible to provide the player playing a game on thegaming machine satisfying the specific condition with a stronger senseof superiority by setting the required amount of game media for theadditional bet to the amount larger than the balance between the currentaccumulated bet amount and the setting amount for participation.Concurrently, it is possible to facilitate the profit increase of thegame facility.

The present invention provides the following.

(33) The gaming system according to (32) mentioned above,

wherein

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of

(F) determining, when receiving in the processing (D) the betinformation, whether or not the accumulated bet amount in the gamingmachine as the transmission source of the bet information is equal to orlarger than an accumulated amount that is larger than the setting amountfor participation, and

the processing (A-1) includes

determining, when determining that the accumulated bet amount in thegaming machine as the transmission source of the bet information isequal to or larger than the accumulated amount, whether or not each ofthe accumulated bet amounts in each of the gaming machines other thanthe above gaming machine is equal to or larger than the setting amountfor participation.

According to the invention of (33), a condition that the accumulated betamount in any of the gaming machines has reached the accumulated amountis employed as the predetermined condition. The accumulated amount islarger than the setting amount for participation.

Namely, according to the invention of (33), the gaming machine havingthe largest accumulated bet amount triggers an occurrence of the commongame. The player on the gaming machine having the accumulated bet amountthat has reached the setting amount for participation is allowed toparticipate in the common game without an additional bet, while theplayer on the gaming machine having the accumulated bet amount that issmaller than the setting amount for participation needs to place anadditional bet to participate in the common game.

Accordingly, an occurrence of the common game, approval to participatein the common game, and a need to place an additional bet are determinedbased on the accumulated bet amount. Therefore, it is possible to givethe players a competition with regard to the amount of the accumulatedbet amount, resulting in a more exciting game.

The present invention provides the following.

(34) The gaming system according to (32) mentioned above,

wherein

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of

(G) determining whether or not the number of gaming machines satisfyingthe specific condition is equal to or smaller than a predeterminednumber, and

the processing (a) includes

accepting an input made with use of the input device for placing theadditional bet, on condition that it is determined that the number ofgaming machines satisfying the specific condition is equal to or smallerthan the predetermined number.

According to the invention of (34), only when the number of gamingmachines satisfying the specific condition is equal to or smaller thanthe predetermined number, the player on the gaming machine notsatisfying the specific condition is allowed to participate in thecommon game by placing the additional bet.

Accordingly, when the number of gaming machines satisfying the specificcondition is larger than the predetermined number, the player on thegaming machine not satisfying the specific condition cannot participatein the common game. Therefore, it is possible to provide the player onthe gaming machine satisfying the specific condition with a sense ofsuperiority.

On the other hand, when the number of gaming machines satisfying thespecific condition is equal to or smaller than the predetermined number,the additional bet to participate in the common game is encouraged sothat the number of gaming machines participating in the common game isincreased. As a result, it is possible to provide an active common game.

The present invention provides the following.

(35) A control method of a gaming system comprising: a plurality ofgaming machines each provided with an input device and a controller; aserver provided with a processor; and a network enabling communicationbetween the gaming machines and the server,

the control method comprising the steps of:

(a) the controller accepting an input made with use of the input devicefor participating in a common game;

(b) the controller transmitting an additional bet signal to theprocessor when the input has been made in the step (a) for participatingin the common game;

(A) the processor selecting a gaming machine satisfying a specificcondition as a gaming machine allowed to participate in the common game,out of the plurality of gaming machines when a predetermined conditionis satisfied;

(B) the processor determining, when receiving the additional bet signaltransmitted in the step (b), the gaming machine as a transmission sourceof the additional bet signal as the gaming machine to participate in thecommon game, in addition to the gaming machine selected in the step (A);

(C) the processor transmitting a common game execution signal to thecontroller provided in the gaming machine selected in the step (A) andto the controller in the gaming machine determined in the step (B); and

(c) the controller executing a common game on receiving the common gameexecution signal transmitted in the step (C).

According to the invention of (35), the common game is executed also inthe gaming machine in which an additional bet has been placed, inaddition to the gaming machine satisfying the specific condition.

Accordingly, even a player playing a game on the gaming machine that isnot satisfying the specific condition can participate in the common gameby placing an additional bet, and therefore, it is possible to have theplayer feel relieved and to provide him or her with satisfaction.

On the other hand, the player playing a game on the gaming machine thatis satisfying the specific condition can participate in the common gamewithout placing an additional bet, and therefore, it is possible toprovide the player with a sense of superiority.

The present invention provides the following.

(36) A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming machines each provided with a controller;

a server provided with a processor; and

a network enabling communication between the gaming machines and theserver,

the processor programmed to execute the processing of

(A) executing a common game when a predetermined condition is satisfied,

the controller programmed to execute the processing of:

(a) providing game media in an amount calculated based on a bet to apredetermined bet target and a result of the common game executed in theprocessing (A), when a mode of the common game executed in the gamingmachine provided with the above controller is a first mode; and

(b) providing game media in an amount calculated based on a bet to aspecific bet target that is different from the predetermined bet targetand the result of the common game executed in the processing (A) whenthe mode of the common game executed in the gaming machine provided withthe above controller is a second mode.

According to the invention of (36), when the common game is in the firstmode, game media is paid out in an amount calculated based on the bet toa predetermined bet target and the result of the common game. On theother hand, when the common game is in the second mode, game media ispaid out calculated based on the bet to a specific bet target and theresult of the common game.

Accordingly, the target to bet is different when the common game is inthe first mode or in the second mode. Therefore, it is possible toprovide various common games that the players are less likely to getbored.

The present invention provides the following.

(37) The gaming system according to (36) mentioned above,

wherein

each of the gaming machines is provided with an input device,

the controller is further programmed to execute the processing of:

(c) accepting an input made with use of the input device for selectingone mode out of a plurality of modes including the first mode and thesecond mode,

the processing (a) includes

providing game media in an amount calculated based on the bet to thepredetermined bet target and the result of the common game executed inthe processing (A) when the first mode was selected in the processing(c),

the processing (b) includes

providing game media in an amount calculated based on the bet to thespecific bet target and the result of the common game executed in theprocessing (A) when the second mode was selected in the processing (c).

According to the invention of (37), the player can select the mode ofthe common game by using the input device. The player selects the firstmode when he or she wants to place a bet to the predetermined bettarget. Further, the player selects the second mode when he or she wantsto place a bet to the specific bet target. The player can select themode of the common game in accordance with his or her needs.

For example, when a bet to the predetermined bet target is comparativelysimple, even a player unfamiliar with the common game can select thefirst mode so that he or she can comparatively easily place a bet to thecommon game. As a result, the player can enjoy the common game withease. On the other hand, when a bet to the specific bet target requiresan advanced strategy, a player familiar with the common game can selectthe second mode so that he or she can enjoy a more challenging game.

Consequently, it is possible to provide a common game responding to theplayers' needs.

The present invention provides the following.

(38) The gaming system according to (36) mentioned above,

wherein

the processing (b) includes

providing game media in an amount calculated based on the bet to thepredetermined bet target and the result of the common game executed inthe processing (A) and providing game media in an amount calculatedbased on the bet to the specific bet target and the result of the commongame executed in the processing (A), when the common game executed inthe gaming machine provided with the above controller is in the secondmode.

According to the invention of (38), when the common game is in thesecond mode, a payout in the common game is determined based on both thebet to the predetermined bet target and the bet to the specific bettarget. Accordingly, the player is allowed to be interested in theresult of the common game. As a result, the player may be absorbed inthe common game.

The present invention provides the following.

(39) The gaming system according to (39) mentioned above,

wherein

each of the gaming machines is provided with an input device,

the processing (a) includes:

(a-1) determining a bet to the predetermined bet target even an inputmade with use of the input device for betting game media has not beenmade, when the common game executed in the gaming machine provided withthe above controller is in the first mode; and

(a-2) providing game media in an amount calculated based on the betdetermined in the processing (a-1) and the result of the common gameexecuted in the processing (A),

the processing (b) includes

(b-1) accepting an input made with use of the input device for bettinggame media to a bet target out of a plurality of bet targets included inthe specific bet target, when the common game executed in the gamingmachine provided with the above controller is in the second mode, and

(b-2) providing game media in an amount calculated based on the bet inthe processing (b-1) and the result of the common game executed in theprocessing (A).

According to the invention of (39), a bet to the predetermined bettarget is determined even without a bet of game media, when the commongame is in the first mode. Namely, the player needs not to make anoperation for placing a bet to the common game, and therefore, theplayer is allowed to be concentrated on the common game.

On the other hand, the player needs to select a bet target to bet out ofa plurality of bet targets, when the common game is in the second mode.Accordingly, the player can play a more challenging game.

As above described, it is possible to provide the players with a moreamusing game by varying the bet in the common game.

The present invention provides the following.

(40) The gaming system according to (37) mentioned above,

wherein

the controller is further programmed to execute the processing of:

(d) accepting an input made with use of the input device for bettinggame media to a normal game; and

(e) transmitting bet information indicative of an amount of game mediabetted in the processing (d) to the processor,

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of:

(B) receiving the bet information transmitted in the processing (e); and

(C) accumulating an amount in accordance with the amount of game mediaindicated by the bet information received in the processing (B), inassociation with the gaming machine as a transmission source of the betinformation, and

the processing (c) includes

accepting an input made with use of the input device for selecting amode out of a plurality of modes including the first mode and the secondmode, based on the accumulated bet amount corresponding to the amount ofgame media accumulated in the processing (C) for each of the gamingmachines.

According to the invention of (40), the amount in accordance with theamount of game media betted in each of the gaming machines isaccumulated in association with that gaming machine. The input forselecting the mode of the common game is accepted based on theaccumulated bet amount corresponding to the amount of game mediaaccumulated in each of the gaming machines.

For example, the input made with use of the input device for selectingthe mode of the common game may be accepted from the gaming machine withthe predetermined amount or more of the accumulated bet amount.Alternatively, the input for selecting the mode of the common game maybe sequentially accepted in an order starting from the gaming machinewith the largest accumulated bet amount to the gaming machine with theN^(th) largest accumulated bet amount.

Accordingly, the player having betted a larger amount of game media maybe provided with a chance to select the mode of the common gamepreferentially. This provides the player with a sense of superiority. Inaddition, it is possible to encourage the player who wants to select themode of the common game to bet more game media.

The present invention provides the following.

(41) A control method of a gaming system comprising: a plurality ofgaming machines each provided with a controller; a server provided witha processor; and a network enabling communication between the gamingmachines and the server,

the method comprising:

(A) the processor executing a common game when a predetermined conditionis satisfied;

(a) the controller providing game media in an amount calculated based ona bet to a predetermined bet target and a result of the common gameexecuted in the step (A), when the common game executed in the gamingmachine provided with the above controller is in a first mode; and

(b) the controller providing game media in an amount calculated based ona bet to a specific bet target that is different from the predeterminedbet target and the result of the common game executed in the step (A),when the common game executed in the gaming machine provided with theabove controller is in a second mode.

According to the invention of (41), game media in an amount calculatedbased on the bet to the predetermined bet target and the result of thecommon game is provided when the common game is in the first mode. Onthe other hand, when the common game is in the second mode, game mediain an amount calculated based on the bet to the specific bet target andthe result of the common game.

Accordingly, the target to bet is different when the common game is inthe first mode or in the second mode. Therefore, it is possible toprovide varied common games that the players are less likely to getbored.

The present invention provides the following.

(42) A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming machines each provided with an input device and acontroller;

a server provided with a memory device and a processor;

an output device connected to the server or an output device provided ineach of the gaming machines,

a network enabling communication between the gaming machines and theserver,

the controller programmed to execute the processing of:

(a) accepting an input made with use of the input device for bettinggame media; and

(b) transmitting bet information indicative of an amount of the gamemedia betted in the processing (a) to the processor,

the processor programmed to execute the processing of

(A) receiving the bet information transmitted in the processing (b);

(B) accumulating an amount in accordance with the amount of the gamemedia indicated by the bet information received in the processing (A),in association with the gaming machine as a transmission source of thebet information;

(C) determining whether or not an accumulated bet amount correspondingto the amount of game media accumulated in the processing (B) for eachof the gaming machines satisfies a condition to participate in a commongame, with respect to each accumulated bet amount;

(D) selecting a gaming machine associated with the accumulated betamount determined in the processing (C) that it satisfies the conditionto participate in the common game, as a gaming machine allowed toparticipate in the common game;

(E) transmitting a common game execution signal to the gaming machineselected in the processing (C); and

(F) notifying an accumulated bet situation indicative of a relationbetween the accumulated bet amount at present and the condition toparticipate in the common game based on an accumulated bet amount datathat is stored in the memory device and is indicative of the accumulatedbet amount, to each of the gaming machines with use of the outputdevice, the controller further programmed to execute the processing of

(c) executing the common game on receiving the common game executionsignal transmitted in the processing (E).

According to the invention of (42), the output device notifies theaccumulated bet situation in each of the gaming machines. Theaccumulated bet situation indicates the relation between the accumulatedbet amount at present and the condition to participate in the commongame. Examples of the condition to participate in the common gameinclude the accumulated bet amount being equal to or more than thepredetermined amount and the accumulated bet amount being at least theN^(th) largest amount. When the accumulated bet amount being equal to ormore than the predetermined amount is employed as the condition toparticipate in the common game, an image showing a contrast between theaccumulated bet amount at present and the predetermined amount may beused to notify the accumulated bet situation. When the accumulated betamount being at least the N^(th) largest amount is employed as thecondition to participate in the common game, an image showing the numberallocated to the gaming machine satisfying the condition and theaccumulated bet amount in that gaming machine in combination may be usedto notify the accumulated bet situation.

Accordingly, the player is allowed to know the relation between theaccumulated bet amount at present and the condition to participate inthe common game, which may change from moment to moment, at any time.

When the accumulated bet situation shows that the condition toparticipate in the common game is likely to be satisfied, the player canreduce the amount of game media to bet. On the contrary, when theaccumulated bet situation shows that the condition to participate in thecommon game is not likely to be satisfied, the player can increase theamount of game media to bet. Further, when the accumulated bet situationshows that the condition to participate in the common game cannot besatisfied, the player can quit the game. As above mentioned, the playercan select his or her next action in accordance with the accumulated betsituation.

The present invention provides the following.

(43) The gaming system according to (42) mentioned above,

wherein

the condition to participate in the common game is that the accumulatedbet amount is equal to or more than a setting amount for participation,

the processing (F) includes

notifying the accumulated bet situation indicative of a contrast betweenthe accumulated bet amount at present and the condition to participatein the common game based on a setting amount for participation dataindicative of the setting amount for participation and the accumulatedbet amount data indicative of the accumulated bet amount, to each of thegaming machines with use of the output device.

According to the invention of (43), a condition that the accumulated betamount is equal to or more than the setting amount for participation isemployed as the condition to participate in the common game. Theaccumulated bet condition indicates the contrast between the accumulatedbet amount at present and the setting amount for participation.

This allows the player to know the amount of game media he or she needsto bet so that the accumulated bet amount in the gaming machine on whichhe or she plays a game reaches the setting amount for participation.

As a result, when the accumulated bet situation shows that the conditionto participate in the common game is likely to be satisfied, the playercan reduce the amount of game media to bet. On the contrary, when theaccumulated bet situation shows that the condition to participate in thecommon game is not likely to be satisfied, the player can increase theamount of game media to bet. Further, when the accumulated bet situationshows that the condition to participate in the common game cannot besatisfied, the player can quit the game. As above mentioned, the playercan select his or her next action in accordance with the accumulated betsituation.

The present invention provides the following.

(44) The gaming system according to (43) mentioned above,

wherein

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of

(G) subtracting the setting amount for participation from theaccumulated bet amount determined in the processing (C) that it is equalto or more than the setting amount for participation,

the processing (B) includes

adding the amount corresponding to the amount of game media indicated bythe bet information received in the processing (A) to the amount of gamemedia corresponding to the accumulated bet amount after subtraction inthe processing (G), after completing an execution of the common game.

According to the invention of (44), the setting amount for participationis subtracted from the accumulated bet amount determined that it isequal to or more than the setting amount for participation. Then, afterthe common game, the amount corresponding to the amount of the bettedgame media is added to the amount of game media corresponding to theaccumulated bet amount after subtraction.

Namely, the balance of the accumulated bet amount and the setting amountfor participation is carried over to the next common game. Then, theaccumulated bet situation is notified based on the carried-overaccumulated bet amount. Accordingly, when a large amount of game mediahave been betted such that the accumulated bet amount is in great excessof the setting amount for participation in a gaming machine, it ispossible to notify the player on that gaming machine of the state wherethe accumulated bet amount is still at a certain level even right afterthe common game.

As a result, it is possible to provide such a player with satisfactionand a sense of superiority.

In addition, it is possible to encourage the player playing a game onthe gaming machine in which the accumulated bet amount is sufficienteven right after the common game, to continue playing the game.Consequently, it may reduce the case where the player stops playing agame without knowing that the sufficient accumulated bet amount is left,so that the player is allowed to enjoy a game with ease.

On the other hand, when the carried-over accumulated bet amount is notso much, it is possible to give a chance to quit the game to the player.

The present invention provides the following.

(45) A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming machines each provided with a controller;

a server provided with a processor;

an output device connected to the server or an output device provided ineach of the gaming machines; and

a network enabling communication between the gaming machines and theserver,

the processor programmed to execute the processing of:

(A) selecting a gaming machine satisfying a specific condition, out ofthe plurality of gaming machines, as a gaming machine allowed toparticipate in a common game, when a predetermined condition issatisfied; and

(B) transmitting a common game execution signal to the gaming machineselected in the processing (A),

the controller programmed to execute the processing of:

(a) determining at a predetermined timing whether or not a game isexecuted in the gaming machine provided with the above controller; and

(b) executing a processing not to execute a common game to be started onreceiving the common game execution signal, when continuouslydetermining in the processing (a) that the game is not executed for apredetermined time after starting measuring at a predetermined start-uptime of measuring, and

the controller or the processor further programmed to execute theprocessing of

(X) notifying the time elapsed from a predetermined start-up time ofmeasuring until the predetermined time has elapsed, from the outputdevice.

According to the invention of (45), when it is determined that the gamehas not been executed in the gaming machine continuously for apredetermined time after measuring is started at a predeterminedstart-up time of measuring (e.g. when it is determined that the numberof credits has been zero for a predetermined time period), that gamingmachine is not allowed to participate in the common game even itsatisfies the specific condition. Namely, the gaming machine isineligible to participate in the common game.

In this regard, according to the invention of (45), the output devicenotifies the time elapsed from a predetermined start-up time ofmeasuring until the predetermined time has elapsed and it may give anindex of the time in which the player can be away from the gamingmachine.

In addition, in a case where the timing when the predetermined conditionis satisfied is employed as the predetermined start-up time ofmeasuring, even the gaming machine satisfying the specific conditioncannot participate in the common game after the predetermined time haselapsed. This may prevent the delay of the start of the common game.

In the invention of (45), examples of the “processing not to execute acommon game” include the following.

One example may be “processing of storing a time-out flag into a memorydevice provided in each gaming machine when continuously determining inthe processing (a) that the game is not executed for a predeterminedtime after starting measuring at a predetermined start-up time ofmeasuring”. In this case, the controller executes the common game onreceiving the common game execution signal transmitted in the processing(B), on condition that the time-out flag is not stored in the memorydevice, for example.

Another example may be “processing of transmitting a time-out signal tothe server when continuously determining in the processing (a) that thegame is not executed for a predetermined time after starting measuringat a predetermined start-up time of measuring”. In this case, theprocessor stores a time-out flag into a memory device provided in theserver, on receiving the time-out signal from the gaming machine, inassociation with the gaming machine as a transmission source of thereceived time-out signal. Then, the processing (B) includes transmittingthe common game execution signal to the gaming machine not associatedwith the time-out flag stored in the memory device among the gamingmachines selected in the processing (A).

The present invention provides the following.

(46) The gaming system according to (45) mentioned above,

wherein

the controller is further programmed to execute the processing of:

(c) accepting an input made with use of the input device for bettinggame media; and

(d) transmitting bet information indicative of an amount of game mediabetted in the processing (c) to the processor,

the processor is further programmed to execute the processing of:

(C) receiving the bet information transmitted in the processing (d);

(D) accumulating an amount corresponding to the amount of game mediaindicated by the bet information received in the processing (C), inassociation with the gaming machine as a transmission source of the betinformation; and

(E) determining, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, whether ornot the accumulated bet amount corresponding to the amount of game mediaaccumulated in the processing (D) for each of the gaming machinessatisfies a condition to participate in a common game, with respect toeach accumulated bet amount,

the processing (A) includes

selecting a gaming machine associated with the accumulated bet amountdetermined in the processing (E) that it satisfies the condition toparticipate in the common game, as the gaming machine allowed toparticipate in the common game.

According to the invention of (46), the specific condition is that theaccumulated bet amount in the gaming machine satisfies the condition toparticipate in the common game. Accordingly, it is required to increasethe accumulated bet amount by playing games for a long time in order tosatisfy the specific condition.

In this regard, according to the invention of (46), the output devicenotifies the time elapsed from a predetermined start-up time ofmeasuring until the predetermined time has elapsed to give an index ofthe time in which the player can be away from the gaming machine.Accordingly, it may avoid the case where the player becomes ineligibleto participate in the common game while he or she is making a pause,though the player has betted a large amount of game media for a longtime. As a result, the player is allowed to play games for a long timewith ease.

Further, it may also prevent the case as described below. On the gamingmachine that has become available after the accumulated bet amount hadbeen stored to the extent satisfying the condition to participate in thecommon game, a player who has scarcely contributed to the accumulatedbet amount starts playing a game to get a profit provided in the commongame. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid giving a sense of unfairnessto the player having played games for a long time, namely the playerhaving contributed to the accumulated bet amount so much.

The present invention provides the following.

(47) A control method of a gaming system comprising: a plurality ofgaming machines each provided with an input device and a controller; aserver provided with a memory device and a processor; an output deviceconnected to the server or an output device provided in each of thegaming machines; and a network enabling communication between the gamingmachines and the server,

the control method comprising the steps of:

(a) the controller accepting an input made with use of the input devicefor betting game media;

(b) the controller transmitting bet information indicative of an amountof game media betted in the step (a) to the processor;

(A) the processor receiving the bet information transmitted in the step(b);

(B) the processor accumulating an amount in accordance with the amountof game media indicated by the bet information received in the step (A)in association with the gaming machine as a transmission source of thebet information;

(C) the processor determining, when a predetermined condition issatisfied, an accumulated bet amount corresponding to the amount of gamemedia accumulated in the step (B) for each of the gaming machinessatisfies a condition to participate in a common game, with respect toeach accumulated bet amount,

(D) the processor selecting a gaming machine associated with theaccumulated bet amount determined in the step (C) that it satisfies thecondition to participate in the common game, as a gaming machine allowedto participate in the common game,

(E) the processor transmitting a common game execution signal to thegaming machine selected in the step (D),

(F) the processor notifying an accumulated bet situation indicative of arelation between the accumulated bet amount at present and the conditionto participate in the common game based on an accumulated bet amountdata that is stored in the memory device and is indicative of theaccumulated bet amount, to each of the gaming machines with use of theoutput device, and

(c) the controller executing a common game on receiving the common gameexecution signal transmitted in the step (E).

According to the invention of (47), the output device notifies theaccumulated bet situation to each of the gaming machines with use of theoutput device. The accumulated bet situation indicates the relationbetween the accumulated bet amount at present and the condition toparticipate in the common game. Examples of the condition to participatein the common game include the accumulated bet amount being equal to ormore than the predetermined amount and the accumulated bet amount beingat least the N^(th) largest amount. When the accumulated bet amountbeing equal to or more than the predetermined amount is employed as thecondition to participate in the common game, an image showing a contrastbetween the accumulated bet amount at present and the predeterminedamount may be used to notify the accumulated bet situation. When theaccumulated bet amount being at least the N^(th) largest amount isemployed as the condition to participate in the common game, an imageshowing the number allocated to the gaming machine satisfying thecondition and the accumulated bet amount in that gaming machine incombination may be used to notify the accumulated bet situation.

Accordingly, the player is allowed to know the relation between theaccumulated bet amount at present and the condition to participate inthe common game, which may change from moment to moment, at any time.

When the accumulated bet situation shows that the condition toparticipate in the common game is likely to be satisfied, the player canreduce the amount of game media to bet. On the contrary, when theaccumulated bet situation shows that the condition to participate in thecommon game is not likely to be satisfied, the player can increase theamount of game media to bet. Further, when the accumulated bet situationshows that the condition to participate in the common game cannot besatisfied, the player can quit the game. As above mentioned, the playercan select his or her next action in accordance with the accumulated betsituation.

The present invention provides the following.

(48) A control method of a gaming system comprising: a plurality ofgaming machines each provided with a controller: a server provided witha processor; an output device connected to the server or an outputdevice provided in each of the gaming machines; and a network enablingcommunication between the gaming machines and the server,

the method comprising the steps of:

(A) the processor selecting, when a predetermined condition issatisfied, a gaming machine satisfying a specific condition out of theplurality of gaming machines as a gaming machine allowed to participatein a common game;

(B) the processor transmitting a common game execution signal to thegaming machine selected in the step (A);

(a) the controller determining at a predetermined timing whether or nota game is executed in the gaming machine provided with the abovecontroller;

(b) the controller executing a common game on receiving the common gameexecution signal transmitted in the step (B), except for a case ofdetermining that the game is not executed for a predetermined time afterstarting measuring at a predetermined start-up time of measuring; and

(X) the controller or the processor notifying the time elapsed from apredetermined start-up time of measuring until the predetermined timehas elapsed, from the output device.

According to the invention of (48), when it is determined that the gamehas not been executed in the gaming machine continuously for apredetermined time after measuring is started at a predeterminedstart-up time of measuring (e.g. when it is determined that the numberof credits has been zero for a predetermined time period), that gamingmachine is not allowed to participate in the common game even itsatisfies the specific condition. Namely, the gaming machine isineligible to participate in the common game.

In this regard, according to the invention of (48), the output devicenotifies the time elapsed from a predetermined start-up time ofmeasuring until the predetermined time has elapsed and it may give anindex of the time in which the player can be away from the gamingmachine.

In addition, in a case where the timing when the predetermined conditionis satisfied is employed as the predetermined start-up time ofmeasuring, even the gaming machine satisfying the specific conditioncannot participate in the common game after the predetermined time haselapsed. This may prevent the delay of the start of the common game.

The present invention provides a server, a gaming system, a controlmethod of the server offering a new entertainment, and a control methodof the gaming system offering a new entertainment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a view illustrating an exemplary gaming system according to afirst embodiment of a present invention.

FIG. 1B is a view for explaining an accumulation percentage for thetotal prize amount and an accumulation percentage for the total Hiddenamount.

FIG. 1C is a view for explaining an outline of the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1D is a view for explaining the outline of the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1E is a view for explaining the outline of the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1F is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on an upperimage display panel provided in a gaming machine according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1G is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on the upperimage display panel provided in the gaming machine according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1H is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on a middleimage display panel provided in a gaming machine according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1I is a view for explaining an auto bet amount.

FIG. 1J is a view for explaining the outline of the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a function flow of the gaming machineaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a gaming system including a gaming machineaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an entire configuration of the gamingmachine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating arrangements of symbols drawn onperipheral faces of reels of the gaming machine according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of thegaming machine according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a symbol combination table of the gamingmachine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of anexternal control device according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a flowchart of main control processing forthe gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating coin-insertion/start-checkprocessing for the gaming machine according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a flowchart of symbol lottery processingfor the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a flowchart of symbol display controlprocessing for the gaming machine according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a flowchart of amount-of-payoutdetermination processing for the gaming machine according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a flowchart of bonus game processing forthe gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on a lowerimage display panel provided in the gaming machine according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on the lowerimage display panel provided in the gaming machine according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on the lowerimage display panel provided in the gaming machine according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating a flowchart of bet amount informationreception processing executed by the external control device accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating a flowchart of bet-related amount updateprocessing executed by the external control device according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a view for explaining the bet-related amount.

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating a flowchart of participationdetermination processing executed by the external control deviceaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22A is a view illustrating a flowchart of craps game executionprocessing executed by the external control device according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22B is a view illustrating a flowchart of craps game executionprocessing executed by the external control device according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating a flowchart of auto-bet amountdetermination processing executed by the external control deviceaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a view for supplementary explaining the auto-bet amountdetermination processing.

FIG. 25 is a view for supplementary explaining the auto-bet amountdetermination processing.

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating a flowchart of total Hidden amountdisplay processing executed by the external control device according tothe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a view illustrating a flowchart of shooter appointment signalreception processing executed by the gaming machine according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a view of craps game-related processing executed by thegaming machine according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating a flowchart of craps-game occurrencesignal reception processing executed by the gaming machine according tothe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30A is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on thelower image display panel provided in a gaming machine according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30B is a view illustrating a flowchart of total Hidden amountdisplay processing executed by an external control device according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a view for explaining an outline of a second embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 32A is a view illustrating a flowchart of bet amount informationreception processing executed by an external control device according tothe second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32B is a view illustrating a flowchart of bet-related amount updateprocessing executed by the external control device according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32C is a view illustrating a flowchart of craps game executionprocessing executed by the external control device according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32D is a view illustrating a flowchart of total overflowing amountdisplay processing executed by the external control device according tothe second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33A is a view illustrating a flowchart of bet-related amount updateprocessing executed by the external control device according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33B is a view illustrating a flowchart of total overflow amountdisplay processing executed by the external control device according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34A is a view illustrating a gaming system including amanagement-side input device according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 34B is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on a commondisplay device provided in a gaming system according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34C is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on thecommon display device provided in a gaming system according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a view illustrating input processing of craps game valuesexecuted by the external control device according to a third embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 36A is a view illustrating a flowchart of craps game executionprocessing executed by the external control device according to thethird embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36B is a view illustrating a flowchart of craps game executionprocessing executed by the external control device according to thethird embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37A is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on an upperimage display device provided in a gaming system according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37B is a schematic view illustrating a relation between auto betamounts and gaming machines.

FIG. 38A is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on a middleimage display device provided in a gaming system according to a fifthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38B is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on themiddle image display device provided in the gaming system according tothe fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39A is a view illustrating a flowchart of participationdetermination processing executed by the external control deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39B is a view illustrating a flowchart of participationdetermination processing executed by the external control deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a view of craps-game occurrence signal reception processingexecuted by the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 41A is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on a lowerimage display panel provided in a gaming system according to a sixthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41B is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on thelower image display panel provided in a gaming system according to thesixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41C is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on thelower image display panel provided in a gaming system according to thesixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41D is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on thelower image display panel provided in a gaming system according to thesixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 41E is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on thelower image display panel provided in a gaming system according to thesixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a view illustrating a flowchart of bet amount informationreception processing executed by an external control device according tothe sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is a view illustrating a flowchart of mode selection processingexecuted by the external control device according to the sixthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a view illustrating a flowchart of shooter appointment signalreception processing executed by a gaming machine according to the sixthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a view of craps-game occurrence signal reception processingexecuted by the gaming machine according to the sixth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 46 is a view illustrating a flowchart of mode selection processingexecuted by the external control device according to the sixthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 47 is a view of craps game-related processing executed by thegaming machine according to the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 48 is a view illustrating input processing of professional-mode betexecuted by the gaming machine according to the sixth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 49 is a view illustrating a flowchart of craps game executionprocessing executed by the external control device according to thesixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 50 is a view illustrating a flowchart of auto-bet amountdetermination processing executed by the external control deviceaccording to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51A is a view illustrating calculation processing of distributionamount in each mode executed by the external control device according tothe sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51B is a view for supplementary explaining the calculationprocessing of distribution amount in each mode.

FIG. 52A is a view illustrating a flowchart of mode selection processingexecuted by an external control device according to another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 52B is a view illustrating a flowchart of mode selection processingexecuted by a gaming machine according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 52C is a view illustrating professional-mode bet input processingexecuted by the gaming machine according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 53A is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on a lowerimage display panel provided in a gaming machine according to a seventhembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 53B is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on thelower image display panel provided in the gaming machine according tothe seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 54 is a view illustrating an individual bet amount displayprocessing executed by the gaming machine according to the seventhembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 55A is a view illustrating a flowchart of timeout displayprocessing executed by the gaming machine according to the seventhembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 55B is a view illustrating a flowchart of timeout displayprocessing executed by a gaming machine according to another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 56 is a view illustrating a flowchart of participationdetermination processing executed by the external control deviceaccording to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 57A is a view illustrating a flowchart of craps game executionprocessing executed by an external control device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 57B is a view illustrating a flowchart of craps game executionprocessing executed by the external control device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, embodiments (first embodiment to seventh embodiment) of thepresent invention will be described.

The inventions of (1) to (11) are described in a first embodiment.

The inventions of (12) to (20) are described in a second embodiment.

The inventions of (21) to (26) are described in a third embodiment.

The inventions of (27) to (30) are described in a fourth embodiment.

The inventions of (31) to (35) are described in a fifth embodiment.

The inventions of (36) to (41) are described in a sixth embodiment.

The inventions of (42) to (48) are described in a seventh embodiment.

First Embodiment

The inventions of (1) to (11) are described in the first embodiment.

An outline of the first embodiment is described with reference to FIG.1.

FIG. 1 are conceptual views for explaining the outline of the presentembodiment.

FIG. 1A is a view illustrating an example of a gaming system 300according to the present embodiment.

An external control device 200 (see FIG. 3) provided in the gamingsystem 300 according to the present embodiment is connected with aplurality of gaming machines 1 (see FIG. 1A) through communication lines301 (see FIG. 3)

The external control device 200 corresponds to the server of the presentinvention. The communication lines 301 corresponds to the network of thepresent invention.

In each gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a slotgame is executed (see FIG. 15 to FIG. 17). When a predeterminedcondition is satisfied, a craps game in which a plurality of gamingmachines can participate starts (see FIG. 30A).

The craps game corresponds to the common game of the present invention.

FIG. 1A illustrates a state where a middle image display panel 650provided in each of the gaming machines 1 displays a value of 47600 thatis the total prize amount.

In the present embodiment, the total prize amount is displayed on themiddle image display panel 650. The total prize amount refers to anaccumulated amount of a part of a bet amount in slot games. The totalprize amount is the amount of a resource of a prize in the craps game.

In the present embodiment, when the value of the total prize amount islarger than a predetermined value (15000), the current total prizeamount is displayed on the middle image display panel 650 and is used asthe resource of the prizes in the craps game. On the other hand, whenthe value of the total prize amount becomes equal to or smaller than thepredetermined value (15000), a total value of the total prize amount anda total Hidden amount is employed as a new total prize amount. Then, thenew total prize amount is displayed on the middle image display panel650 and is used as the resource of the prize in the craps game. Thetotal Hidden amount refers to an accumulated amount of a part of a betamount in the slot game, as same as the total prize amount.

Data indicative of the total prize amount corresponds to the firstresource data of the present invention. Data indicative of the totalHidden amount corresponds to the second resource data of the presentinvention. The middle image display panel 650 corresponds to the outputdevice of the present invention.

FIG. 1 B is a schematic view illustrating an accumulation percentage forthe total prize amount per bet and an accumulation percentage for thetotal Hidden amount per bet.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the accumulation percentage for the totalprize amount is 14%. Further, the accumulation percentage for the totalHidden amount is 2%. Namely, when the bet amount per bet is 100, 14 isaccumulated as the total prize amount and 2 is accumulated as the totalHidden amount.

A game information image 1400 of FIG. 1F also notifies that a part ofthe bet amount betted to the slot game is accumulated as a prize to beoffered in the craps game.

FIG. 1C to FIG. 1E are schematic views each illustrating a relationbetween the total prize amount and the total Hidden amount.

FIG. 1C illustrates a state where the middle image display panel 650displays a value of 47600 that is the total prize amount in a case wherethe value of the total prize amount is larger than the predeterminedvalue (15000).

FIG. 1D illustrates a state where the middle image display panel 650displays a total value (22000) of the total prize amount (0) and thetotal Hidden amount (22000) in a case where the value of the total prizeamount becomes equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (15000).

Accordingly, when the value of the total prize amount is larger than thepredetermined value (15000), the total prize amount is displayed on themiddle image display panel 650. Further, when the value of the totalprize amount becomes equal to or smaller than the predetermined value(15000), the total value of the total prize amount and the total Hiddenamount is displayed as a new total prize amount on the middle imagedisplay panel 650.

FIG. 15 illustrates a state where a payout of a prize (23600) in thecraps game has been conducted in the situation where the total prizeamount is 47600 as illustrated in FIG. 1C. Since the value of the totalprize amount (24000) is larger than the predetermined value (15000), themiddle image display panel 650 displays 24000 that is the value of thetotal prize amount.

As described above, when the value of the total prize amount is largerthan the predetermined value, the total prize amount is displayed on themiddle image display panel 650 and is used as the resource of the prizesin the craps game. On the other hand, when the value of the total prizeamount is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the totalamount of the current total prize amount and the total Hidden amount isemployed as a new total prize amount. Accordingly, the new total amountof the prizes is displayed on the middle image display panel 650 and isused as the resource of prizes in the craps game.

FIG. 1F shows an exemplary image displayed on an upper image displaypanel 131.

As shown in the game information image 1400 of FIG. 1F, a craps game inwhich a plurality of gaming machine can participate starts when an eventtriggering condition is satisfied. The event triggering condition is acondition that an individual bet amount in any of the gaming machineshas reached the event triggering amount.

As shown in the game information image 1400 of FIG. 1F, the individualbet amount is calculated in the present embodiment. Here, the individualbet amount refers to the accumulated amount of the bet amount betted tothe slot game, for each gaming machine. Accordingly, in the presentembodiment, the bet amount in the slot game executed in each gamingmachine is accumulated as the individual bet amount.

It is to be noted the individual bet amount corresponds to theaccumulated bet amount of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the craps game starts, when the eventtriggering condition is satisfied, namely, the individual bet amount inany of the gaming machines has reached the event triggering amount.

The event triggering condition corresponds to the predeterminedcondition of the present invention.

The craps game is a game in which the result is determined by theoutcome of two dice. In the craps game, a player is selected as ashooter who rolls dice, out of a plurality of players. Based on theoutcome of dice, the shooter or the dealer wins the game. For example,when the outcome of the dice roll is 7 or 11, the shooter wins the game.On the other hand, when the outcome of the dice roll is 2, 3, or 12, thedealer wins the game. Participants of the craps game can bet on theshooter's winning or the dealer's winning. A bet on the shooter'swinning made by the participants of the craps game is referred to as apass line bet.

In the craps game according to the present embodiment, one of gamingmachines 1 is selected as the shooter. Then, the gaming machine allowedto participate in the craps game is selected from the gaming machinesother than the gaming machine having selected as the shooter(hereinafter, also referred to as shooter gaming machine). Hereinafter,the gaming machine participating in the craps game among the gamingmachines other than the shooter gaming machine is referred to as anon-shooter gaming machine.

FIG. 1G shows an exemplary image displayed on an upper image displaypanel 131.

As shown in a game information image 1410 of FIG. 1G, the bet amount setfor the craps game (hereinafter, also referred to as auto bet amount) isincreased along with the increase in the individual bet amount. The autobet amount is a bet amount determined in accordance with the individualbet amount and set for the pass line bet in the gaming machineparticipating in the craps game. The auto bet amount is specificallydescribed later with reference to FIG. 1I.

In addition, as shown in the game information image 1410 of FIG. 1G, thegame media to be paid out when the shooter wins in the craps game isincreased in accordance with the increase in the bet amount (auto betamount) set for the craps game.

Further, as shown in the game information image 1410 of FIG. 1G, whenthe shooter wins in the craps game, the game media within the totalprize amount is paid out to the gaming machine participating in thecraps game. Namely, the larger total prize amount allows a payout of alarger amount of game media.

FIG. 1H is an exemplary image displayed on the middle image displaypanel 650.

As shown in a common game start image 1420 of FIG. 1H, the craps game isexecuted as the common game in the present embodiment.

FIG. 1I is a view for explaining the auto bet amount.

The auto bet amount according to the present embodiment has thefollowing characteristics.

(I) The auto bet amount is increased along with the increase in theindividual bet amount.

(II) The auto bet amount is set for the pass line bet (bet on theshooter's winning).

(III) The auto bet amount includes an auto bet amount for shooter and anauto bet amount for non shooter.

(IV) A player needs not to bet game media for the auto bet amount.

First, (I) is described.

As illustrated in FIG. 1I, the gaming machine 1 allocated with theterminal number 002 has the largest individual bet amount (100000) amongfive gaming machines. In addition, the gaming machine 1 allocated withthe terminal number 002 and having the largest individual bet amount hasthe auto bet amount of 50000, and that amount is largest among those infive gaming machines. Accordingly, the auto bet amount is increasedalong with the increase in the individual bet amount.

Next, (II) is described.

As mentioned above, the auto bet amount is set for the pass line bet(bet on the shooter's winning). In the present embodiment, the auto betamount is set for the pass line bet irrespective of the player'sintention.

Next, (III) is described.

The auto bet amount for shooter is the bet amount set in the shootergaming machine. The auto bet amount for non shooter is the bet amountset in the non-shooter gaming machine. Accordingly, the auto bet amountincludes the auto bet amount for shooter and the auto bet amount for nonshooter.

Now, (IV) is described.

In the present embodiment, the player can play a craps game withoutconsuming his or her own credits.

FIG. 1J is an example of the gaming machine according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 1J illustrates a state where the shooter wins in the craps game inwhich all gaming machines are participating. As illustrated in FIG. 1J,an image indicative of an amount of payout corresponding to the auto betamount (see FIG. 1I) in each gaming machine is displayed on the middleimage display panel 650 provided in each gaming machine.

As illustrated in FIG. 1J, the amount of payout when the shooter wins inthe craps game is the same amount as the auto bet amount in the presentembodiment. For example, when the auto bet amount in the gaming machinewith the terminal number 001 is 8000, the prize won in the craps game is8000. Accordingly, when the shooter wins in the craps game, the playercan get the amount indicated by the auto bet amount without reducing hisor her own credits.

As above, the outline of the first embodiment has been described withreference to FIG. 1A to FIG. 1J.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment is more specifically described.

[Explanation of Function Flow Diagram]

With reference to FIG. 2, basic functions of a gaming system accordingto the present embodiment are described.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a function flow of the gaming systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Coin-Insertion/Start-Check>

First, the gaming machine checks whether or not a bet button has beenpressed by a player, and subsequently checks whether or not a spinbutton has been pressed by the player. Here, the gaming machinetransmits bet amount information indicative of the bet amount to anexternal control device in each game.

<Symbol Determination>

Next, when the spin button has been pressed by the player, the gamingmachine extracts random values for symbol determination, and determinessymbols to be displayed at the time of stopping scrolling of symbolarrays for the player, for a plurality of respective video reelsdisplayed to a display.

<Symbol Display>

Next, the gaming machine starts scrolling of the symbol array of each ofthe video reels and then stops scrolling so that the determined symbolsare displayed for the player.

<Winning Determination>

When scrolling of the symbol array of each video reel has been stopped,the gaming machine determines whether or not a combination of symbolsdisplayed for the player is a combination related to winning.

<Payout>

When the combination of symbols displayed for the player is acombination related to winning, the gaming machine offers benefitsaccording to the combination to the player.

For example, when a combination of symbols related to a payout of coinshas been displayed, the gaming machine pays out coins of the numbercorresponding to the combination of symbols to the player.

Further, when a combination of symbols related to a bonus game triggerhas been displayed, the gaming machine starts a bonus game. It is to benoted that, in the present embodiment, a game (free game) in which alottery relating to the aforementioned determination of to-be stoppedsymbols is held a predetermined number of times without using coins isplayed as a bonus game.

The external control device accumulates a part of the bet amountindicated by the bet amount information transmitted from each gamingmachine as the total prize amount. Then, the external control devicestarts a craps game in which a plurality of gaming machines canparticipate, when an event triggering condition is satisfied. When theplayer wins in the craps game, the gaming machine conducts a payoutusing coins of the total prize amount as a resource.

Further, in addition to the aforementioned benefits, the gaming machineis provided with benefits such as a mystery bonus.

The mystery bonus is a bonus in which a predetermined amount of coinsare paid out for winning of a lottery that is intended for the mysterybonus. When the spin button has been pressed, the gaming machineextracts a random value for mystery bonus and determines whether or notto establish a mystery bonus trigger by lottery.

<Determination of Effects>

The gaming machine produces effects by displaying images to the display,outputting the light from lamps, and outputting sounds from speakers.The gaming machine extracts a random value for effect and determinescontents of the effects based on the symbols and the like determined bylottery.

[Overall Gaming System]

The basic functions of the gaming machine have been described above.Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a gaming system including the gamingmachine is described.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the gaming system including the gamingmachine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

A gaming system 300 includes a plurality of gaming machines 1, and anexternal control device 200 that is connected to each of the gamingmachines 1 through a communication line 301.

The external control device 200 is for controlling the plurality ofgaming machines 1. In the present embodiment, the external controldevice 200 is a so-called hall server which is installed in a gamefacility having the plurality of gaming machines 1. Each of the gamingmachines 1 is provided with a unique identification number, and theexternal control device 200 identifies transmission sources of datatransmitted from the respective gaming machines 1 by using theidentification numbers. Also in the case where the external controldevice 200 transmits data to a gaming machine 1, the identificationnumbers are used for specifying the transmission destination.

It is to be noted that the gaming system 300 may be constructed within asingle game facility where various games can be conducted, such as acasino, or may be constructed among a plurality of game facilities.Further, when the gaming system 300 is constructed in a single gamefacility, the gaming system 300 may be constructed in each floor orsection of the game facility. The communication line 301 may be a wiredor wireless line, and can adopt a dedicated line, an exchange line orthe like.

[Overall Configuration of Gaming Machine]

The gaming system according to the present embodiment has beep describedabove. Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an overall configuration of thegaming machine 1 is described.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the overall configuration of the gamingmachine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

A coin, a bill, or electrically valuable information corresponding tothese is used as a game medium in the gaming machine 1. Further, in thepresent embodiment, a later-described ticket with a barcode is alsoused. It is to be noted that the game medium is not limited to these,and for example a medal, a token, electric money or the like can beadopted.

The gaming machine 1 includes a cabinet 11, a top box 12 installed onthe upper side of the cabinet 11, and a main door 13 provided at thefront face of the cabinet 11.

A lower image display panel 141 is provided at the center of the maindoor 13. The lower image display panel 141 includes a liquid crystalpanel, and forms the display. The lower image display panel 141 has asymbol display region 4. To the symbol display region 4, five videoreels 3 (3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d, 3 e) are displayed.

In the present embodiment, a video reel depicts through videos therotational and stop motions of a mechanical reel having a plurality ofsymbols drawn on the peripheral surface thereof. To each of the videoreels 3, a symbol array comprised of a previously determined plurality(22 in the present embodiment) of symbols is assigned (see FIG. 5 whichis described later).

In the symbol display region 4, the symbol arrays assigned to therespective video reels 3 are separately scrolled, and are stopped afterpredetermined time has elapsed. As a result, a part (four consecutivesymbols in the present embodiment) of each of the symbol arrays isdisplayed for the player.

The symbol display region 4 has four regions, namely an upper region, anupper central region, a lower central region, and a lower region, foreach video reel 3, and a single symbol is to be displayed to eachregion. That is, 20 (=5 columns×4 symbols) symbols are to be displayedin the symbol display region 4.

In the present embodiment, a line formed by selecting one of theaforementioned four regions for each of the video reels 3 and connectingthe respective regions is referred to as a winning line.

It is to be noted that any desired shape of the winning line can beadopted, and examples of the shape of the winning line may include astraight line formed by connecting the upper central regions for therespective video reels 3, a V-shaped line, and a bent line. Also, anydesired number of lines can be adopted, and the number can be forexample 30 lines.

Further, the lower image display panel 141 has a number-of-creditsdisplay region 142 and a number-of-payouts display region 143. Thenumber-of-credits display region 142 displays the number of coins(hereinafter also referred to as “the number of credits”) owned by theplayer and retained inside the gaming machine 1. The number-of-payoutsdisplay region 143 displays the number of coins (hereinafter alsoreferred to as “the number of payouts”) to be paid out to the playerwhen winning is established.

The lower image display panel 141 has a built-in touch panel 114. Theplayer can input various commands by touching the lower image displaypanel 141.

On the lower side of the lower image display panel 141, there arearranged various buttons set in a control panel 30, and various devicesto be operated by the player.

A spin button 31 is used when starting scrolling of the symbol arrays ofthe respective video reels 3. A change button 32 is used when requestinga game facility staff member to exchange money. A CASHOUT button 33 isused when paying out the coins retained inside the gaming machine 1 to acoin tray 15.

A 1-bet button 34 and a maximum bet button 35 are used for determiningthe number of coins (hereinafter also referred to as “the number ofbets”) to be used in the game from the coins retained inside the gamingmachine 1. The 1-bet button 34 is used when determining one coin at atime for the aforementioned number of bets. The maximum bet button 35 isused when setting the aforementioned number of bets to a defined upperlimit number.

The 1-bet button 34 and the maximum bet button 35 each corresponds tothe input device of the present invention. In the present embodiment,the case is described where bet buttons are employed as the inputdevice. However, the input device of the present invention is notparticularly limited and a conventionally known input device may be usedsuch as a touch panel, a currency insertion slot capable of acceptingcurrency including coins and bills, in addition to buttons.

A coin accepting slot 36 is provided to accept coins. A bill validator115 is provided to accept bills. The bill validator 115 validates abill, and accepts a valid bill into the cabinet 11. It is to be notedthat the bill validator 115 may be configured so as to be capable ofreading a later-described ticket 175 with a barcode.

An upper image display panel 131 is provided at the front face of thetop box 12. The upper image display panel 131 includes a liquid crystalpanel, and forms the display. The upper image display panel 131 displaysimages related to effects and images showing introduction of the gamecontents and explanation of the game rules. Further, the top box 12 isprovided with a speaker 112 and a lamp 111. The gaming machine 1produces effects by displaying images, outputting sounds, and outputtingthe light.

Under the upper image display panel 131, a middle image display panel650 is provided. The middle image display panel 650 displays an imagerelated to an effect in the craps game. It is to be noted that a touchpanel 113 is built into the middle image display panel 650. The playercan input various commands by touching the middle image display panel650.

A ticket printer 171, a card slot 176, a data display 174, and a keypad173 are provided on the lower side of the middle image display panel650.

The ticket printer 171 prints on a ticket a barcode representing encodeddata of the number of credits, date, the identification number of thegaming machine 1, and the like, and outputs the ticket as the ticket 175with a barcode. The player can make a gaming machine read the ticket 175with a barcode so as to play a game thereon, and can also exchange theticket 175 with a barcode with a bill or the like at a predeterminedplace (e.g. a cashier in a casino) in the game facility.

The card slot 176 is for inserting a card in which predetermined data isstored. For example, the card stores data for identifying the player,and data about the history of games played by the player.

When the card is inserted into the card slot 176, a later-described cardreader 172 reads data from the card or writes data into the card. It isto be noted that the card may store data corresponding to a coin, a billor a credit.

The data display 174 includes a fluorescent display, LEDs and the like,and displays the data read by the card reader 172 or the data inputtedby the player via the keypad 173, for example. The keypad 173 is forinputting a command and data related to ticket issuance or the like.

[Symbol Arrays of Video Reels]

The overall configuration of the gaming machine 1 has been describedabove. Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a configuration of the symbolarrays included in the video reels 3 of the gaming machine 1 isdescribed.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating arrangement of symbols that are drawn onthe peripheral surfaces of the reels of the gaming machine according tothe embodiment of the present invention.

A first video reel 3 a, a second video reel 3 b, a third video reel 3 c,a fourth video reel 3 d, and a fifth video reel 3 e each is assignedwith a symbol array consisting of 22 symbols that correspond torespective code numbers from “00” to “21”.

Types of the symbols provided are “JACKPOT 7”, “BLUE 7”, “BELL”,“CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, “ORANGE” and “APPLE”.

[Configuration of Circuit Included in Gaming Machine]

The configuration of the symbol arrays included in the video reels 3 ofthe gaming machine 1 has been described above. Next, with reference toFIG. 6, a configuration of a circuit included in the gaming machine 1 isdescribed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of thegaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

A gaming board 50 is provided with: a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a boot ROM53, which are mutually connected by an internal bus: a card slot 55corresponding to a memory card 54; and an IC socket 57 corresponding toa GAL (Generic Array Logic) 56.

The memory card 54 includes a non-volatile memory, and stores a gameprogram and a game system program. The game program includes a programrelated to game progression, a lottery program, and a program forproducing effects by images and sounds (e.g. see FIGS. 9 to 14 which aredescribed later). Further, the aforementioned game program includes data(see FIG. 5) specifying the configuration of the symbol array assignedto each video reel 3.

The lottery program is a program for determining to-be stopped symbol ofeach video reel 3 by lottery. The to-be stopped symbol is data fordetermining four symbols to be displayed to the symbol display region 4out of the 22 symbols forming each symbol array. The gaming machine 1 ofthe present embodiment determines as the to-be stopped symbol the symbolto be displayed in a predetermined region (e.g. the upper region) out ofthe four regions provided for each of the video reels 3 of the symboldisplay region 4.

The aforementioned lottery program includes symbol determination data.The symbol determination data is data that specifies random values sothat each of the 22 symbols (code numbers from “00” to “21”) forming thesymbol array is determined at an equal probability (i.e. 1/22), for eachvideo reel 3.

The probabilities of the respective 22 symbols being determined arebasically equal. However, the numbers of the respective types of symbolsincluded in the 22 symbols vary, and thus the probabilities of therespective types of symbols being determined vary (i.e. differentweights on the probabilities are generated). For example, with referenceto FIG. 5, the symbol array of the first video reel 3 a includes onesymbol of “JACKPOT 7”, and includes seven symbols of “ORANGE”. Hence,the former is determined at the probability of “ 1/22”, whereas thelatter is determined at the probability of “ 7/22”.

It is to be noted that, although the data specifies that the equalnumbers of symbols be provided to form the symbol arrays of therespective video reels 3 in the present embodiment, different numbers ofsymbols may form the respective video reels 3. For example, the symbolarray of the first video reel 3 a may consist of 22 symbols whereas thesymbol array of the second video reel 3 b may consist of 30 symbols.Such a configuration increases the degree of freedom in setting theprobabilities of the respective types of symbols being determined foreach video reel 3.

Further, the card slot 55 is configured so that the memory card 54 canbe inserted thereinto and removed therefrom, and is connected to amotherboard 70 by an IDE bus.

The GAL 56 is a type of PLD (Programmable Logic Device) having a fixedOR array structure. The GAL 56 is provided with a plurality of inputports and output ports, and predetermined input into the input portcauses output of the corresponding data from the output port.

Further, the IC socket 57 is configured so that the GAL 56 can beinserted thereinto and removed therefrom, and is connected to themotherboard 70 by a PCI bus. The contents of the game to be played onthe gaming machine 1 can be changed by replacing the memory card 54 withanother memory card 54 having another program written therein or byrewriting the program written into the memory card 54 as anotherprogram.

The CPU 51, the ROM 52 and the boot ROM 53 mutually connected by theinternal bus are connected to the motherboard 70 by a PCI bus. The PCIbus enables a signal transmission between the motherboard 70 and thegaming board 50, and power supply from the motherboard 70 to the gamingboard 50.

The ROM 52 stores an authentication program. The boot ROM 53 stores apre-authentication program, a program (boot code) to be used by the CPU51 for activating the pre-authentication program, and the like.

The authentication program is a program (tamper check program) forauthenticating the game program and the game system program. Thepre-authentication program is a program for authenticating theaforementioned authentication program. The authentication program andthe pre-authentication program are written along a procedure(authentication procedure) for proving that the program to be thesubject has not been tampered.

The motherboard 70 is provided with a main CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73,and a communication interface 82. The mother board 70 corresponds to thecontroller of the present invention. In the present embodiment, thecontroller includes one CPU called the main CPU 71. However, thecontroller of the present invention may include a plurality of CPUs.

The ROM 72 includes a memory device such as a flash memory, and stores aprogram such as BIOS to be executed by the main CPU 71, and permanentdata. When the BIOS is executed by the main CPU 71, processing forinitializing predetermined peripheral devices is conducted; further,through the gaming board 50, processing of loading the game program andthe game system program stored in the memory card 54 is started.

The RAM 73 stores data and programs which are used in operation of themain CPU 71. For example, when the processing of loading theaforementioned game program, game system program or authenticationprogram is conducted, the RAM 73 can store the program. The RAM 73 isprovided with working areas used for operations in execution of theseprograms. Examples of the areas include: an area that stores the numberof games, the number of bets, the number of payouts, the number ofcredits and the like; and an area that stores symbols (code numbers)determined by lottery.

The communication interface 82 is for communicating with the externalcontrol device 200 such as a server, through the communication line 301.Further, the motherboard 70 is connected with a later-described door PCB(Printed Circuit Board) 90 and a body PCB 110 by respective USBs. Themotherboard 70 is also connected with a power supply unit 81.

When the power is supplied from the power supply unit 81 to themotherboard 70, the main CPU 71 of the motherboard 70 is activated, andthen the power is supplied to the gaming board 50 through the PCI bus soas to activate the CPU 51.

The door PCB 90 and the body PCB 110 are connected with input devicessuch as a switch and a sensor, and peripheral devices the operations ofwhich are controlled by the main CPU 71.

The door PCB 90 is connected with a control panel 30, a reverter 91, acoin counter 92C and a cold cathode tube 93.

The control panel 30 is provided with a spin switch 31S, a change switch32S, a CASHOUT switch 33S, a 1-bet switch 34S and a maximum bet switch35S which correspond to the aforementioned respective buttons. Each ofthe switches outputs a signal to the main CPU 71 upon detection of pressof the button corresponding thereto by the player.

The coin counter 92C validates a coin inserted into the coin acceptingslot 36 based on its material, shape and the like, and outputs a signalto the main CPU 71 upon detection of a valid coin. Invalid coins aredischarged from a coin payout exit 15A.

The reverter 91 operates based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 71, and distributes valid coins validated by the coin counter92C into a hopper 113 or a cash box (not illustrated). That is, coinsare distributed into the hopper 113 when the hopper 113 is not filledwith coins, while coins are distributed into the cash box when thehopper 113 is filled with coins.

The cold cathode tube 93 functions as a backlight installed on the rearface sides of the upper image display panel 131, the middle imagedisplay panel 650, and the lower image display panel 141, and lights upbased on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71.

The body PCB 110 is connected with the lamp 111, the speaker 112, thehopper 113, a coin detecting portion 113S, the touch panel 114, the billvalidator 115, a graphic board 130, the ticket printer 171, the cardreader 172, a key switch 173S and the data display 174.

The lamp 111 lights up based on a control signal outputted from the mainCPU 71. The speaker 112 outputs sounds such as BGM, based on a controlsignal outputted from the main CPU 71.

The hopper 113 operates based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 71, and pays out coins of the specified number of payouts fromthe coin payout exit 15A to the coin tray 15. The coin detecting portion113S outputs a signal to the main CPU 71 upon detection of coins paidout by the hopper 113.

The touch panel 114 detects a place on the lower image display paneltouched by the player's finger or the like, and outputs to the main CPU71 a signal corresponding to the detected place. Upon acceptance of avalid bill, the bill validator 115 outputs to the main CPU 71 a signalcorresponding to the face amount of the bill.

The graphic board 130 controls display of images conducted by therespective upper image display panel 131, middle image display panel650, and lower image display panel 141, based on a control signaloutputted from the main CPU 71. The symbol display region 4 of the lowerimage display panel 141 displays the five video reels 3 by which thescrolling and stop motions of the symbol arrays included in therespective video reels 3 are displayed. The graphic board 130 isprovided with a VDP generating image data, a video RAM temporarilystoring the image data generated by the VDP, and the like. Thenumber-of-credits display region 142 of the lower image display panel141 displays the number of credits stored in the RAM 73. Thenumber-of-payouts display region 143 of the lower image display panel141 displays the number of payouts of coins.

The graphic board 130 is provided with the VDP (Video Display Processor)generating image data based on a control signal outputted from the mainCPU 71, the video RAM temporarily storing the image data generated bythe VDP, and the like. It is to be noted that the image data used ingeneration of image data by the VDP is included in the game program thathas been read from the memory card 54 and stored into the RAM 73.

Based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71, the ticketprinter 171 prints on a ticket a barcode representing encoded data ofthe number of credits stored in the RAM 73, date, the identificationnumber of the gaming machine 1, and the like, and then outputs theticket as the ticket 175 with a barcode.

The card reader 172 reads data stored in a card inserted into the cardslot 176 and transmits the data to the main CPU 71, or writes data intothe card based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71.

The key switch 173S is provided in the keypad 173, and outputs apredetermined signal to the main CPU 71 when the keypad 173 has beenoperated by the player.

The data display 174 displays data read by the card reader 172 and datainputted by the player through the keypad 173, based on a control signaloutputted from the main CPU 71.

[Configuration of Symbol Combination Table]

The circuit configuration of the gaming machine 1 has been describedabove. Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a symbol combination table isdescribed.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a symbol combination table of the gamingmachine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The symbol combination table specifies combinations of drawn symbolsrelating to winning, and the number of payouts. On the gaming machine 1,the scrolling of symbol arrays of the respective video reels 3 isstopped, and winning is established when the combination of symbolsdisplayed along the winning line matches one of the combinations ofsymbols specified by the symbol combination table. According to thewinning combination, a benefit such as payout of coins or start of abonus game is offered to the player. It is to be noted that winning isnot established (i.e. the game is lost) when the combination of symbolsdisplayed along the winning line does not match any of the combinationsof symbols specified by the symbol combination table.

Basically, winning is established when all symbols displayed along thewinning line by the respective video reels 3 are of one type out of“JACKPOT 7”, “APPLE”, “BLUE 7”, “BELL”, “CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”and “ORANGE”. However, with respect to the respective types of symbolsof “CHERRY” and “ORANGE”, winning is also established when one or threesymbols of either type are displayed along the winning line by the videoreels 3.

For example, when all the symbols displayed along the winning line byall the video reels 3 are “BLUE 7”, the winning combination is “BLUE”,and “10” is determined as the number of payouts. Based on the determinednumber of payouts, payout of coins is conducted. The payout of coins isconducted by actually discharging coins from the coin payout exit 15A oradding the determined number of payouts to the number of credits, orissuing a ticket with a barcode.

“JACKPOT 7” is a symbol related to the jackpot trigger. When all thesymbols displayed along the winning line by all the video reels 3 are“JACKPOT 7”, the winning combination is “jackpot”, and the amount ofjackpot is determined as the number of payouts.

“APPLE” is a symbol related to the bonus-game trigger. When all thesymbols displayed along the winning line by all the video reels 3 are“APPLE”, the winning combination is “bonus game trigger”, and bonusgames start from the next game.

[Configuration of Circuit Included in External Control Device]

The description has been given on the configuration of the circuit ofthe gaming machine 1. Next, the configuration of the circuit included inthe external control device 200 is described with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the internal configuration of theexternal control device according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

A control unit is provided inside the external control device 200. Thecontrol unit includes components such as a motherboard 240, a gamingboard 250, and a power supply unit 245.

The gaming board has the same configuration as the gaming board 50 inthe gaming machine 1. Namely, the gaming board 250 is provided with aCPU 251, a ROM 255, a boot ROM 252, a card slot 253S corresponding to amemory card 253, and an IC socket 2543 corresponding to a GAL 254.

The motherboard 240 has the same configuration as the motherboard 70 inthe gaming machine 1. Namely, the motherboard 240 is provided with amain CPU 241, a ROKM 242, and a RAM 243.

The motherboard 240 corresponds to the processor of the presentinvention. Though the processor includes one CPU called the main CPU 241in the present embodiment, the processor of the present invention mayinclude a plurality of CPUs.

The RAM 243 is provided with an individual bet amount storage area forstoring individual bet amount data, a total prize amount storage areafor storing total prize amount data, a total Hidden amount storage areafor storing total Hidden amount data, and a total bonus amount storagearea for storing total bonus amount data.

The total prize amount storage area corresponds to the first storagearea of the present invention. The total Hidden amount storage areacorresponds to the second storage area of the present invention. The RAM243 corresponds to the memory device of the present invention.

A communication part 244 is for communicating with the gaming machines 1through a communication line.

[Contents of Program]

The symbol combination table has been described above. Next, withreference to FIGS. 9 to 14, the program to be executed by the gamingmachine 1 is described.

<Main Control Processing>

First, with reference to FIG. 9, main control processing is described.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the main control processingfor the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

First, when the power is supplied to the gaming machine 1, the main CPU71 reads the authenticated game program and game system program from thememory card 54 through the gaming board 50, and writes the programs intothe RAM 73 (step S11).

Next, the main CPU 71 conducts at-one-game-end initialization processing(step S12). For example, data that becomes unnecessary after each gamein the working areas of the RAM 73, such as the number of bets and thesymbols determined by lottery, is cleared.

The main CPU 71 conducts coin-insertion/start-check processing which isdescribed later with reference to FIG. 10 (step S13). In the processing,input from the bet switch and the spin switch is checked.

The main CPU 71 then conducts symbol lottery processing which isdescribed later with reference to FIG. 11 (step S14). In the processing,to-be stopped symbols are determined based on the random values forsymbol determination.

Next, the main CPU 71 conducts mystery bonus lottery processing (stepS15). In the processing, lottery determining whether or not to establisha mystery bonus trigger is held. For example, the main CPU 71 extracts arandom value for mystery bonus from the numbers in a range of “0 to 99”,and establishes the mystery bonus trigger when the extracted randomvalue is “0”.

The main CPU 71 conducts effect contents determination processing (stepS16). The main CPU 71 extracts a random value for effect, and determinesany of the effect contents from the preset plurality of effect contentsby lottery.

The main CPU 71 then conducts symbol display control processing which isdescribed later with reference to FIG. 12 (step S17). In the processing,scrolling of the symbol array of each video reel 3 is started, and theto-be stopped symbol determined in the symbol lottery processing of stepS14 is stopped at a predetermined position (e.g. the upper region in thesymbol display region 4). That is, four symbols including the to-bestopped symbol are displayed in the symbol display region 4. Forexample, when the to-be stopped symbol is the symbol associated with thecode number of “10” and it is to be displayed to the upper region, thesymbols associated with the respective code numbers of “11”, “12” and“13” are to be displayed to the respective upper central region, lowercentral region and lower region in the symbol display region 4.

Next, the main CPU 71 conducts amount-of-payout determination processingwhich is described later with reference to FIG. 13 (step S18). In theprocessing, the amount of payout is determined based on the combinationof symbols displayed along the winning line, and is stored into anamount-of-payout storage area provided in the RAM 73.

The main CPU 71 then determines whether or not the bonus game triggerhas been established (step S19). When the main CPU 71 determines thatthe bonus game trigger has been established, the main CPU 71 conductsbonus game processing which is described later with reference to FIG. 14(step S20).

After the processing of step S20 or when determining in step S19 thatthe bonus game trigger has not been established, the main CPU 71determines whether or not the mystery bonus trigger is established (stepS21). When determining that the mystery bonus trigger has beenestablished, the main CPU 71 conducts the mystery bonus processing (stepS22). In the processing, the amount of payout (e.g. 300) being set forthe mystery bonus is stored into the amount-of-payout storage areaprovided in the RAM 73.

After the processing of step S22, the main CPU 71 conducts payoutprocessing (step S23). The main CPU 71 adds the value stored in theamount-of-payout storage area to a value stored in an amount-of-creditstorage area provided in the RAM 73. It is to be noted that operationsof the hopper 113 may be controlled based on input from the CASHOUTswitch 33S, and coins of the number corresponding to the value stored inthe amount-of-payout storage area may be discharged from the coin payoutexit 15A. Further, operations of the ticket printer 171 may becontrolled and a ticket with a barcode may be issued on which a valuestored in the amount-of-payout storage area is recorded. After theprocessing has been conducted, the processing is shifted to step S12.

<Coin-insertion/Start-Check Processing>

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, coin-insertion/start-check processingis described.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a flowchart of thecoin-insertion/start-check processing for the gaming machine accordingto the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not insertion of a coin hasbeen detected by the coin counter 92C (step S41). When determining thatthe insertion of a coin has been detected by the coin counter 92C, themain CPU 71 makes an addition to the value stored in theamount-of-credit storage area (step S42). It is to be noted that, inaddition to the insertion of a coin, the main CPU 71 may determinewhether or not insertion of a bill has been detected by the billvalidator 115, and when determining that the insertion of a bill hasbeen detected, the main CPU 71 may add a value according to the bill tothe value stored in the amount-of-credit storage area.

After step S42 or when determining in step S41 that the insertion of acoin has not been detected, the main CPU 71 determines whether or notthe value stored in the amount-of-credit storage area is zero (stepS43). When the main CPU 71 determines that the value stored in theamount-of-credit storage area is not zero, the main CPU 71 permitsoperation acceptance of the bet buttons (step S44).

Next, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not operation of any of thebet buttons has been detected (step S45). When the main CPU 71determines that the bet switch has detected press of the bet button bythe player, the main CPU 71 makes an addition to a value stored in a betamount storage area provided in the RAM 73 and makes a subtraction fromthe value stored in the amount-of-credit storage area, based on the typeof the bet button (step S46). For example, when a bet of 100 dollars hasbeen detected, the main CPU 71 adds 100 to the value stored in the betamount storage area and subtracts 100 from the value stored in theamount-of-credit storage area.

The main CPU 71 then determines whether or not the value stored in thebet amount storage area is at its maximum (step S47). When the main CPU71 determines that the value stored in the bet amount storage area is atits maximum, the main CPU 71 prohibits updating of the value stored inthe bet amount storage area (step S48). After step S48 or whendetermining instep S47 that the value stored in the bet amount storagearea is not at its maximum, the main CPU 71 permits operation acceptanceof the spin button (step S49).

After step S49 or when determining in step S45 that the operation of anyof the bet buttons has not been detected, or when determining in stepS43 that the value stored in the amount-of-credit storage area is zero,the main CPU 71 determines whether or not operation of the spin buttonhas been detected (step S50). When the main CPU 71 determines that theoperation of the spin button has not been detected, the processing isshifted to step S41.

When determining that the operation of the spin button has beendetected, the main CPU 71 conducts bet amount information transmissionprocessing (step S51). In the processing, the value stored it the betamount storage area (bet amount information) is transmitted to theexternal control device 200.

After the processing has been conducted, the coin-insertion/start-checkprocessing is completed.

<Symbol Lottery Processing>

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the symbol lottery processing isdescribed.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the symbol lotteryprocessing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

First, the main CPU 71 extracts random values for symbol determination(step S111). The main CPU 71 then determines to-be stopped symbols forthe respective video reels 3 by lottery (step S112). The main CPU 71holds a lottery for each video reel 3, and determines any one of the 22symbols (code numbers from “00” to “21”) as a to-be stopped symbol. Atthis time, each of the 22 symbols (code numbers from “00” to “21”) isdetermined at an equal probability (i.e. 1/22).

The main CPU 71 then stores the determined to-be stopped symbols for therespective video reels 3 into a symbol storage area provided in the RAM73 (step S113). Next, the main CPU references the symbol combinationtable (FIG. 7) and determines a winning combination based on the symbolstorage area (step S114). The main CPU 71 determines whether or not thecombination of symbols to be displayed along the winning line by therespective video reels 3 matches any of the combinations of symbolsspecified by the symbol combination table, and determines the winningcombination. After the processing has been conducted, the symbol lotteryprocessing is completed.

<Symbol Display Control Processing>

Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the symbol display control processingis described.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the symbol display controlprocessing for the gaming machine according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

First, the main CPU 71 starts scrolling of the symbol arrays of therespective video reels 3 that are displayed to the symbol display region4 of the lower image display panel 141 (step S131). The main CPU 71 thenstops the scrolling of the symbol arrays of the respective video reels3, based on the aforementioned symbol storage area (step S132). Afterthe processing has been conducted, the symbol display control processingis completed.

<Amount-of-Payout Determination Processing>

Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the amount-of-payout determinationprocessing is described.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the amount-of-payoutdetermination processing for the gaming machine according to theembodiment of the present invention.

First, the main CPU 71 determines the amount of payout corresponding tothe winning combination (step S152). For example, when the winningcombination is “BELL”, the main CPU 71 determines “8” as the amount ofpayout (see FIG. 7). It is to be noted that the main CPU 71 determines“0” as the amount of payout in the case where the game is lost. Next,the main CPU 71 stores the determined amount of payout into theamount-of-payout storage area (step S153). After the processing has beenconducted, the amount-of-payout determination processing is completed.

<Bonus Game Processing>

Next, with reference to FIG. 14, the bonus game processing is described.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the bonus game processingfor the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the presentinvention.

The main CPU 71 first determines the number of bonus games (step S191).The main CPU 71 extracts a random value for number-of-bonus-gamesdetermination, and determines any one of the various numbers of bonusgames such as “50”, “70” and “100” by lottery.

Next, the main CPU 71 stores the determined number of bonus games into anumber-of-bonus-games storage area provided in the RAM 73 (step S192).

The main CPU 71 then conducts at-one-game-end initialization processingin the same way as the processing of step S12 described with referenceto FIG. 9 (step S193). The main CPU 71 then conducts the symbol lotteryprocessing described with reference to FIG. 11 (step S194). Then, themain CPU 71 conducts the effect contents determination processing in thesame way as the processing of step S16 described with reference to FIG.9 (step S195). Next, the main CPU 71 conducts the symbol display controlprocessing described with reference to FIG. 12 (step S196). The main CPU71 then conducts the amount-of-payout determination processing describedwith reference to FIG. 13 (step S197).

Next, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the bonus game triggerhas been established (step S198). When the main CPU 71 determines thatthe bonus game trigger has been established, the main CPU 71 determinesthe number of bonus games to be added (step S199). In the same way asthe aforementioned processing of step S191, the main CPU 71 determinesthe number of bonus games. The main CPU 71 then adds the determinednumber of bonus games to the value stored in the number-of-bonus-gamesstorage area (step S200).

After the processing of step S200 or when determining in step S198 thatthe bonus game trigger has not been established, the main CPU 71conducts the payout processing (step S201). In the payout processing,the main CPU 71 adds the value stored into the amount-of-payout storagearea in the aforementioned amount-of-payout determination processing ofstep S197 to a value stored in an amount-of-payout storage area forbonus. The amount-of-payout storage area for bonus is an area forstoring a total of the amounts of payout determined during the bonusgames.

When the bonus game processing has been completed, the main CPU 71 addsthe value stored in the amount-of-payout storage area for bonus to thevalue stored in the amount-of-credit storage area provided in the RAM73, in the payout processing of step S23 described with reference toFIG. 8. That is, the total of the amounts of payout determined duringthe bonus games is collectively paid out. Here, it is to be noted thatcoins may be discharged from the coin payout exit 15A, or a ticket witha barcode may be issued.

Next, the main CPU 71 subtracts one from the value stored in thenumber-of-bonus-games storage area (step S202). Next, the main CPU 71determines whether or not the value stored in the number-of-bonus-gamesstorage area is zero (step S203). When the main CPU 71 determines thatthe value stored in the number-of-bonus-games storage area is not zero,the main CPU 71 shifts the processing to step S193. On the other hand,when the main CPU 71 determines that the value stored in thenumber-of-bonus-games storage area is zero, the main CPU 71 completesthe bonus game processing. When the bonus game processing has beencompleted, the processing is shifted to the processing of step S21described with reference to FIG. 9.

<Slot Game: Normal Game Screen>

Next, a slot game image displayed on the lower image display panel 141is described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17.

FIGS. 15 to 17 are views each illustrating an example of the slot gameimage displayed on the lower image display panel 141.

FIG. 15 illustrates a state where a normal game image is displayed onthe lower image display panel 141.

More specifically, a normal game screen is positioned at the center ofthe lower image display panel 141 and has a display window 150 includingfive dummy reels 151 to 155 and payline generating portions 65L and 65Rpositioned symmetrically on both sides of the display window 150. In thenormal game screen of FIG. 15, the first to third dummy reels 151, 152,and 153 are not scrolled, while the fourth and fifth dummy reels 154 and155 are scrolled.

Above the display window 150, an amount-of-credit display portion 400, abet amount display portion 401, a number-of-wild-symbols display portion415, a number-of-trigger-symbols display portion 416, and a payoutdisplay portion 402 are arranged. These portions 400, 401, 415, 416, and402 are sequentially positioned from the left end to the right end asviewed from the player.

The amount-of-credit display portion 400 displays the amount of credit.The bet amount display portion 401 displays the bet amount in thecurrent unit game. The number-of-wild-symbols display portion 415displays the number of wild symbols 503 a in the current unit game. Thispreliminary notifies the player of the presence of five wild symbols 503a in the normal game. The number-of-trigger-symbols display portion 416displays the number of trigger symbols 503 b in the current unit game.This preliminary notifies the player of the presence of five triggersymbols 503 b in the normal game. The payout display portion 402displays the number of coins to be paid out when a winning combinationis formed.

On the other hand, below the display window 150, a help button 410, apay table button 411, a bet unit display portion 412, a stock displayportion 413, a number-of-free-games display portion 414 are arranged.These portions 410, 411, 412, 413, and 414 are sequentially positionedfrom the left end to the right end as viewed from the player.

The help button 410 enables execution of a help mode when pressed by theplayer. The help mode refers to a mode where information to solvequestions related to the game is provided to the player. The pay tablebutton 411 enables execution of a payout display mode for displayingdetail of the payout when pressed by the player. The payout display moderefers to a mode where an information screen indicative of a relationbetween the winning combination and the payout odds is displayed to theplayer.

The bet unit display portion 412 displays a bet unit (payout unit) atpresent. This display in the bet unit display portion 412 allows theplayer to recognize that he or she can participate in the game byplacing a bet in cents, for example.

The stock display portion 413 displays a continuation number of thebonus game. Here, “the continuation number” refers to the remainingnumber of bonus games that the player can play in succession after thecurrent bonus game ends. Namely, when “3” is displayed in the stockdisplay portion 413, the player can play the bonus game for threeconsecutive times after the current bonus game ends. It is to be notedthat “0” is displayed in the normal game.

The number-of-free-games display portion 414 displays the number ofrepeated bonus games and the total number of bonus games. Here, “0 of 0”displayed in the number-of-free-games display portion 414 indicates thatthe total number of free games is zero. Namely, the bonus game is notexecuted. Further, “5 cf 8” displayed in the number-of-free-gamesdisplay portion 414 indicates that the 5^(th) free game is executed nowin eight free games as the bonus game.

Between the bet unit display portion 412 and the stock display portion413, an accumulation level display portion 421 and a timeout displayportion 422 are arranged. The accumulation level display portion 421 isconfigured to display the accumulated value increased in each unit gameof the slot game as a base game, in an analog fashion.

More specifically, the accumulation level display portion 421 has acircular shape as illustrated in FIG. 15 and is divided at angles ofevery 60 degrees into six accumulation display areas. It is to be notedthat the shape is not limited to a circular shape, and it may be apolygonal shape or a shape of a character figure such as animals andgaming machines. The division is also not particularly limited tosix-fold division, provided that it is divided into plural areas. Theaccumulation value ranges from zero as an initial value in an emptystate to a participation-allowing value in a full state indicating thatthe participation in the common game is allowed. The range is divided bythe number of divisions and each divided range is associated with anaccumulation display area.

Display states of each accumulation display area can be individuallychanged in colors, luminance, and the like. The different display statesof the accumulation display areas allow the player to identify whetheror not the accumulation value has reached the range corresponding tothat accumulation display area. Accordingly, when it is in the emptystate, for example, all accumulation display areas are displayed in thedisplay state indicating that the accumulation value is not in thatdivided range. Along with the increase in the accumulation valueaccording to repetitive executions of the slot game, the display statesof the accumulation display areas are sequentially changed when theaccumulation value falls within the range corresponding thereto.Finally, when the accumulation value is increased to theparticipation-allowing value in the full state, the display states ofall the accumulation display areas are switched to different states.This configuration of the accumulation level display portion 421 allowsthe player to be aware that the condition for participating in thecommon game is going to be satisfied, and therefore, it is possible tohave the player always interested in the common game.

Once the accumulation level display portion 421 indicates theaccumulation value in the full state, the display is reset irrespectiveof the participation in the common game, on condition that the commongame starts. Namely, the accumulation value may be cleared. On the otherhand, in a case where the common game starts before the accumulationvalue becomes in the full state, though the participation in the commongame is not allowed, the display state may be carried over to the nextcommon game. Namely, the accumulation value is not cleared and may beset as the initial value in the next base game after the current commongame ends.

The timeout display portion 422 is configured to visually display thetime left before timeout in an analog fashion. Here, “the time leftbefore timeout” refers to the remaining time before the participation inthe common game is rejected since a start operation has not been made bythe player.

<Bonus-Winning Screen in Normal Game>

FIG. 16 illustrates a state displayed for a certain period after theplayer wins the bonus. More specifically, it illustrates a state wherethree trigger symbols 503 b are rearranged so that the player wins thebonus. The trigger symbol 503 b preferably includes legible charactersof “FEATURE” so that the player easily recognizes that the symbol isrelated to winning of the bonus.

On the present screen, a bonus-winning image 420 notifying the winningof the bonus with use of the symbol image and the character image of“FEATURE IN” is displayed by pop up. Then, concurrently with or rightafter the display of the bonus-winning image 420, the total numberdisplayed in the number-of-free-games display portion 414 is changedfrom “0” to “7”. Accordingly, the player can recognize that he or shewins the bonus and the game is shifted to the bonus game including theseven free games.

<Slot Game: Bonus Game Screen>

FIG. 17 illustrates a state where a bonus game image is displayed on thelower image display panel 141.

More specifically, concurrently with display of the total number of thefree games in the number-of-free-games display portion 414, the numberof the present game is displayed. For example, an image indicating thatthe first game of the seven free games is now executed is displayed.Other operations are the same as those in the normal game.

Descriptions have been given on the slot game images displayed on thelower image display panel 141 with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17.

<Bet Amount Information Reception Processing>

Next, a description is given on bet amount information receptionprocessing executed by the external control device according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention, with reference to FIG. 18.

FIG. 18 illustrates a flowchart of bet amount information receptionprocessing executed by the external control device 200.

The main CPU 241 determines whether or not it has received bet amountinformation (step S251). The bet amount information is transmitted fromthe gaming machine 1 (see step S51 of FIG. 10). When determining that ithas not received the bet amount information from the gaming machine 1,the main CPU 241 ends the present subroutine. On the other hand, whendetermining that it has received the bet amount information from thegaming machine 1, the main CPU 241 executes bet-related amount updateprocessing (step S252). The bet-related amount update processing islater described with reference to FIG. 19.

Next, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the individual betamount stored in the individual bet amount storage area provided in theRAM 243 has reached the event triggering amount (step S253). Whendetermining that the individual bet amount stored in the individual betamount storage area has not reached the event triggering amount, themain CPU 241 ends the present subroutine. On the other hand, whendetermining that the individual bet amount stored in the individual betamount storage area has reached the event triggering amount, the mainCPU 241 shifts the processing to step S254.

Here, a state where “the individual bet amount stored in the individualbet amount storage area has reached the event triggering amount” (seestep S253 of FIG. 18) refers to the predetermined condition of thepresent invention.

In step S254, the main CPU 241 extracts a random value for determiningthe shooter gaming machine.

Next, the main CPU 241 determines one gaming machine out of all thegaming machines 1 based on the random value for determining the shootergaming machine extracted in step S254 (step S255).

Then, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the individual betamount corresponding to the one gaming machine determined in step S255is equal to or more than the setting amount for participation (1000)(step S256).

When determining that the individual bet amount corresponding to the onegaming machine determined in step S255 is less than the setting amountfor participation (1000), the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to stepS254. On the other hand, when determining that the individual bet amountcorresponding to the one gaming machine determined in step S255 is equalto or more than the setting amount for participation (1000), the mainCPU 241 shifts the processing to step S257.

In step S257, the main CPU 241 transmits a shooter appointment signal tothe gaming machine corresponding to the individual bet amount determinedthat it is equal to or more than the set for entry (1000) in step S256.

Herein after, the gaming machine 1 receiving the shooter appointmentsignal is also referred to as a shooter gaming machine.

Next, the main CPU 241 transmits a craps-game occurrence signal to thegaming machines other than the shooter gaming machine (step S258).

Next, the main CPU 241 executes participation determination processing(step S259). The participation determination processing is laterdescribed with reference to FIG. 21.

Then, the main CPU 241 executes craps game execution processing (stepS260). The craps game execution processing is later described withreference to FIG. 22.

The main CPU 241 then executes total Hidden amount display processing(step S261). The total Hidden amount display processing is laterdescribed with reference to FIG. 26.

After the processing of step S261, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

As above, the bet amount information reception processing executed bythe external control device 200 has been described with reference toFIG. 18.

<Bet-Related Amount Update Processing>

Now, with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20, the bet-related amount updateprocessing (see step S252 of FIG. 18) executed by the external controldevice 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention isdescribed.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating a flowchart of bet-related amount updateprocessing executed by the external control device 200.

FIG. 20 is a view for explaining the bet-related amount.

The bet-related amount is updated based on the bet amount informationtransmitted from the gaming machine 1 in step S51 described withreference to FIG. 10. Here, the bet-related amount includes theindividual bet amount, the total prize amount, the total bonus amount,and the total Hidden amount. The total bonus amount refers to an amountin which a part of the bet amount betted to the slot game is accumulatedand used for calculating a special bet amount for shooter. The specialbet amount for shooter is later described with reference to step S344 ofFIG. 23.

The total prize amount is the amount of resource of the prizes in thecraps game.

The main CPU 241 updates the individual bet amount in the gaming machine1 as a transmission source of the bet amount information (step S271).

In the present embodiment, the amount corresponding to 100% of the betamount indicated by the bet amount information is added to theindividual bet amount indicated by the individual bet amount informationstored in the individual bet amount storage area provided in the RAM 243to update the individual bet amount.

In the case where the bet amount information indicative of the betamount being 1000 is transmitted from the gaming machine 1 allocatedwith the terminal number 001 and having the individual bet amount of79000, for example, the individual bet amount of that gaming machine 1is updated to 80000 (see FIG. 20).

The individual bet amount information indicative of the updatedindividual bet amount is transmitted to the gaming machine 1corresponding to that individual bet amount.

Next, the main CPU 241 updates the total bonus amount based on the betamount information (step S272).

In the present embodiment, the amount corresponding to 4% of the betamount indicated by the bet amount information is added to the totalbonus amount indicated by the total bonus amount data stored in thetotal bonus amount storage area provided in the RAM 243 to update thetotal bonus amount.

In the case where the bet amount information indicative of the betamount being 1000 is transmitted from any of the gaming machines 1 whenthe total bonus amount is 13560, for example, the total bonus amount isupdated to 13600 (see FIG. 20).

Here, the total bonus amount is the value used for calculating thespecial bet amount for shooter which is specially set only for theshooter gaming machine in the craps game. The special bet amount forshooter is later described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 25.

After the processing of step S272, the main CPU 241 executes processingof adding the amount corresponding to 14% of the bet amount indicated bythe bet amount information to the total prize amount indicated by thetotal prize amount data stored in the total prize amount storage area(step S273).

In the case where the bet amount information indicative of the betamount being 1000 is transmitted from any of the gaming machines 1 whenthe total bonus amount is 47460, for example, the total bonus amount isupdated to 47600 (see FIG. 20).

Next, the main CPU 241 transmits total prize amount informationincluding the total prize amount data updated in step S273 to the gamingmachine 1 (step S274). On receiving the total prize amount informationfrom the external control device 200, the main CPU 71 in the gamingmachine 1 executes processing of displaying the total prize amountindicated by the total prize amount data included in that total prizeamount information, on the middle image display panel 650 (notillustrated). The total prize amount is displayed on the middle imagedisplay panel 650 in the gaming machine 1 in this processing (see FIG.1A).

When the total prize amount indicated by the total prize amount data is47600, for example, the value of 47600 is displayed on the middle imagedisplay panel 650 (see FIG. 1A).

Then, the main CPU 241 executes processing of adding the amountcorresponding to 2% of the bet amount indicated by the bet amountinformation to the total Hidden amount indicated by the total Hiddenamount data stored in the total Hidden amount storage area provided inthe RAM 243 (step S275).

In the case where the bet amount information indicative of the betamount being 1000 is transmitted from any of the gaming machines 1 whenthe total Hidden amount is 21980, for example, the total Hidden amountis updated to 22000 (see FIG. 20).

After the processing of step S275, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

As above, descriptions have been given on the bet-related amount updateprocessing executed by the external control device 200 with reference toFIGS. 19 and 20.

<Participation Determination Processing>

Now, descriptions are given on the participation determinationprocessing (see step S259 of FIG. 18) executed by the external controldevice 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a view illustrating a flowchart of participationdetermination processing executed by the external control device 200.

In the participation determination processing, the gaming machineallowed to participate in the craps game is determined.

The main CPU 241 determines whether or not the individual bet amount ofeach gaming machine other than the shooter gaming machine has reachedthe setting amount for participation (step S291). When determining thatthe individual bet amount is equal to or more than the setting amountfor participation, the main CPU 241 transmits a non-shooter appointmentsignal to the gaming machine 1 corresponding to that individual betamount (step S292). On the other hand, when determining that theindividual bet amount is less than the setting amount for participation,the main CPU 241 transmits a non-participant appointment signal to thegaming machine 1 corresponding to that individual bet amount (stepS293).

After the processing of step S292 or step S293, the main CPU 241 endsthe present subroutine.

As above, descriptions have been given on the participationdetermination processing executed by the external control device 200with reference to FIG. 21.

<Craps Game Execution Processing>

Now, descriptions are given on the craps game execution processing (seestep S260 of FIG. 18) executed by the external control device 200according to the first embodiment of the present invention withreference to FIGS. 22A and 22B.

FIGS. 22A and 22B are views each illustrating a flowchart of craps gameexecution processing executed by the external control device 200.

The main CPU 241 executes auto-bet amount determination processing (stepS301). In this processing, the auto bet amount is determined withrespect to each of the participating gaming machines. The auto-betamount determination processing is later described with reference toFIGS. 23 to 25.

After the processing of step S301, the main CPU 241 executes processingof transmitting the auto bet amount information indicative of the autobet amount determined in step S301 to the gaming machine 1 correspondingto that auto bet amount information (step S302).

Next, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of setting the number Rof rolls indicated by number-of-rolls data stored in a number-of-rollsstorage area provided in the RAM 243 to 1 (step S303).

Next, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not it has received a rollcommand signal (step S304). The roll command signal is a signaltransmitted from the shooter gaming machine (see step S527 of FIG. 28).The roll command signal is later described with reference to step S527of FIG. 28. When determining that it has not received the roll commandsignal from the shooter gaming machine, the main CPU 241 returns theprocessing to step S304. On the other hand, when determining that it hasreceived the roll command signal from the shooter gaming machine, themain CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S305.

In step S305, the main CPU 241 extracts a random value for the crapsgame.

Next, the main CPU 241 determines two values in the value range of 1 to6, based on the random value extracted in step S305 (step S306). In thisprocessing, two values to be determined may be 1 and 1. Namely, the twovalues to be determined may be the same value.

Hereinafter, the total of the two values determined in this processingis also referred to as the outcome of the dice roll.

Next, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the number R of rollindicated by the number-of-roll data stored in the number-of-rollstorage area provided in the RAM 243 is 1 (step S307). When determiningthat the number of roll is not 1, the main CPU 241 shifts the processingto step S327. On the other hand, when determining that the number ofroll is 1, the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S308.

In step S308, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the outcome ofdice roll determined in step S306 is 7 or 11. When determining that theoutcome of the dice roll determined in step S306 is not 7 or 11, themain CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S321. On the other hand, whendetermining that the outcome of the dice roll determined in step S306 is7 or 11, the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S309.

In step S309, the main CPU 241 transmits a winning signal to the gamingmachine participating in the craps game (hereinafter, also referred toas participating gaming machine).

Next, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the total prize amountis equal to or more than the total amount of the auto bet amounts inparticipating gaming machines (step S310). When determining that thetotal prize amount is less than the total amount of the auto betamounts, the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S315. On theother hand, when determining that the total prize amount is equal to ormore than the total amount of the auto bet amounts, the main CPU 241shifts the processing to step S311.

In step S311, the main CPU 241 determines the auto bet amount forshooter as an amount of payout for shooter. The amount of payout forshooter is the amount to be paid out to the shooter gaming machine inthe case of the shooter's winning. For example, when the auto bet amountfor shooter is 50000, the main CPU 241 determines the amount of payoutfor shooter to be 50000 (see FIGS. 1I and 1J).

Next, the main CPU 241 determines each bet amount for non shooter as theamount of payout to the gaming machine corresponding to that bet amountfor non shooter (step S312). Hereinafter, the amount of payoutdetermined in this processing is referred to as an amount of payout fornon shooter. The amount of payout for non shooter is the amount to bepaid out to the non-shooter gaming machine in the case of the shooter'swinning. For example, when the auto bet amount for non shooter is 8000,the main CPU 241 determines the amount of payout for non shooter to be8000 (see FIGS. 1I and 1J).

Next, the main CPU 241 transmits amount-of-payout information indicativeof the amount of payout for shooter to the shooter gaming machine andamount-of-payout information indicative of the amount of payout for nonshooter to the non-shooter gaming machines (step S313).

Then, the main CPU 241 subtracts the total amount of the auto betamounts in all participating gaming machines from the total prize amount(step S314).

After the processing of step S314, the main CPU 241 shifts theprocessing to step S303.

When determining in step S308 that the outcome of the dice rolldetermined in step S306 is not 7 or 11, the main CPU 241 determineswhether or not the outcome of the dice roll determined in step S306 isany of 2, 3, and 12 (step S321). When determining that the outcome ofthe dice roll determined in step S306 is one of 2, 3, and 12, the mainCPU 241 shifts the processing to step S322. On the other hand, whendetermining that the outcome of the dice roll determined in step S306 isnot any of 2, 3, and 12, the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to stepS324.

In step S324, the main CPU 241 determines the outcome of the dice roll(total of the two values determined in the processing of step S306) as avalue of points.

Then, the main CPU 241 transmits a draw signal to the participatinggaming machine (step S325).

Next, the main CPU 241 executes processing of adding 1 to the number Rof rolls indicated by the number-of-rolls data stored in thenumber-of-rolls storage area provided in the RAM 243 (step S326).

After the processing of step S326, the main CPU 241 shifts theprocessing to step S304.

When determining in step S321 that the outcome of the dice rolldetermined in step S306 is one of 2, 3, and 12, the main CPU 241transmits a loss signal to the participating gaming machine (step S322).

After the processing of step S322, the main CPU 241 determines the totalprize amount indicated by the total prize amount data stored in thetotal prize amount storage area provided in the RAM 243 as a new totalbonus amount (step S323).

After the processing of step S323, the main CPU 241 shifts theprocessing to step S320.

When determining in step S310 that the total prize amount is Less thanthe total amount of the auto bet amounts, the main CPU 241 determinesthe total prize amount indicated by the total prize amount data storedin the total prize amount storage area provided in the RAM 243 as theamount of payout for shooter (step S315).

After the processing of step S315, the main CPU 241 determines theamount of payout for non shooter to be zero (step S315).

Next, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of transmittingamount-of-payout information indicative of the amount of payout forshooter to the shooter gaming machine and amount-of-payout informationindicative of the amount of payout for non shooter to the non-shootergaming machines (step S317).

Next, the main CPU 241 sets the total prize amount indicated by thetotal prize amount data stored in the total prize amount storage areaprovided in the RAM 243 to zero (step S318).

Then, the main CPU 241 sets the total bonus amount indicated by thetotal bonus amount data stored in the total bonus amount storage areaprovided in the RAM 243 to zero (step S319).

After the processing of step S319 or step S323, the main CPU 241 setsthe individual auto bet amount indicated by the individual bet amountdata stored in the individual bet amount storage area provided in theRAM 243 to zero (step S320).

In addition, the main CPU 241 sets the auto bet amount indicated by theauto bet amount data stored in the auto bet amount data storage areaprovided in the RAM 243 to zero.

After the processing of step S320, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

When determining in step S307 that the number R of rolls is not 1, themain CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S327.

In step S327, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the outcome ofthe dice roll is the same value as the value of the points determined instep S324. When determining that the outcome of the dice roll is thesame value as the value of the points, the main CPU 241 shifts theprocessing to step S309. On the other hand, when determining that theoutcome of the dice roll is not the same value as the value of thepoints, the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S328.

In step S328, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the outcome ofthe dice roll is 7. When determining that the outcome of the dice rollis 7, the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S322. On the otherhand, when determining that the outcome of the dice roll is not 7, themain CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S325.

As above, descriptions have been given on the craps game executionprocessing executed by the external control device 200 with reference toFIGS. 22A and 22B.

<Auto-Bet Amount Determination Processing>

Now, descriptions are given on the auto-bet amount determinationprocessing (see step S301 of FIG. 22) executed by the external controldevice 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the auto-bet amountdetermination processing executed by the external control device 200.

The main CPU 241 calculates a basic bet amount for each gaming machine(step S341). In the present embodiment, the basic bet amount refers tothe auto bet amount to be set for all participating gaming machines. Inthe present embodiment, an amount corresponding to 10% of the individualbet amount is determined as the basic bet amount (see FIGS. 24 and 25).

Next, the main CPU 241 determines the basic bet amount in eachnon-shooter gaming machine as the auto bet amount in that non-shootergaming machine (auto bet amount for non shooter) (step S342).

In this processing, data indicative of the basic bet amount is storedinto the auto bet amount storage area provided in the RAM 243 inassociation with the corresponding non-shooter gaming machine.

FIG. 25 is a view for supplementary explaining the auto-bet amountdetermination processing.

A case is described where the gaming machines allocated with theterminal number 001, 003, 004, and 005 are non-shooter gaming machinesin FIG. 25. In this case, the auto bet amounts are 8000 for the gamingmachine of the terminal number 001, 6000 for the gaming machine of theterminal number 003, 6000 for the gaming machine of the terminal number004, and 4000 for the gaming machine of the terminal number 005.

After the processing of step S342, the main CPU 241 calculates thedegree of contribution of the shooter gaming machine (step S343). In thepresent embodiment, the degree of the contribution is obtained bymultiplying the individual bet amount corresponding to the shootergaming machine by the reciprocal of the maximum individual bet amountamong the individual bet amounts of all gaming machines.

For example, the degree of contribution of the gaming machinecorresponding to the maximum individual bet amount among the individualbet amounts of all gaming machines is 100% (see FIGS. 24 and 25).

After the processing of step S342, the main CPU 241 calculates thespecial bet amount for shooter based on the degree of contributioncalculated in step S343 (step S344). In the present embodiment, thespecial bet amount for shooter is calculated by multiplying the totalbonus amount indicated by the total bonus amount data stored in thetotal bonus amount storage area by the degree of contribution calculatedin step S343. The special bet amount for shooter refers to the betamount specially set only for the shooter.

Next, the main CPU 241 determines the total amount of the basic betamount of the shooter gaming machine and the special bet amount forshooter calculated in step S343, as the auto bet amount of the shootergaming machine (auto bet amount for shooter) (step S345).

In this processing, data indicative of the total amount of the basic betamount of the shooter gaming machine and the special bet amount forshooter is stored into an auto bet amount storage area provided in theRAM 243, in association with the shooter gaming machine.

For example, a case is described where the gaming machine allocated withthe terminal number 002 in FIG. 25 is the shooter gaming machine. Inthis case, the auto bet amount for shooter is 50000 that is the totalamount of 10000 of the basic bet amount and 40000 of the special betamount for shooter.

After the processing of step S345, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

As above, descriptions have been given on the auto bet amountdetermination processing executed by the external control device 200.

<Total Hidden Amount Display Processing>

Now, descriptions are given on the total Hidden amount displayprocessing (see step S261 of FIG. 18) executed by the external controldevice 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the total Hidden amountdisplay processing executed by the external control device 200.

The main CPU 241 determines whether or not the total prize amount storedin the total prize amount storage area provided in the RAM 243 is equalto or less than the predetermined amount (step S371). When determiningthat the total prize amount stored in the total prize amount storagearea is more than the predetermined amount, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine. On the other hand, when determining that the totalprize amount stored in the total prize amount storage area is equal toor less than the predetermined amount, the main CPU 241 shifts theprocessing to step S372.

In step S372, the main CPU 241 determines the sum of the total Hiddenamount indicated by the total Hidden amount data stored in the totalHidden amount storage area provided in the RAM 243 and the total prizeamount indicated by the total prize amount data stored in the totalprize amount storage area provided in the RAM 243 as a new total prizeamount and updates the total prize amount data.

Next, the main CPU 241 transmits total prize amount informationincluding the total prize amount data updated in step S372 to the gamingmachine 1 (step S373). On receiving the total prize amount informationfrom the external control device 200, the main CPU 71 in the gamingmachine 1 executes processing of displaying the total prize amountindicated by the total prize amount data included in that total prizeamount information, on the middle image display panel 650 (notillustrated). The total prize amount is displayed on the middle imagedisplay panel 650 in the gaming machine 1 in this processing (see FIG.1A).

When the total prize amount indicated by the total prize amount data is47600, for example, the value of 47600 is displayed on the middle imagedisplay panel 650 (see FIG. 1A).

Next, the main CPU 241 determines the total prize amount indicated bythe total prize amount data stored in the total prize amount storagearea provided in the RAM 243 as a new total bonus amount and updates thetotal bonus amount data (step S374).

Next, the main CPU 241 sets the total Hidden amount indicated by thetotal Hidden amount data stored in the total Hidden amount storage areato zero (step S375).

As above, descriptions have been given on the total Hidden amountdisplay processing executed by the external control device 200 withreference to FIG. 26.

<Shooter Appointment Signal Reception Processing>

Now descriptions are given on shooter appointment signal receptionprocessing executed by the gaming machine 1 according to the firstembodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 27.

FIG. 27 is a view illustrating a flowchart of shooter appointment signalreception processing executed by the gaming machine 1.

The main CPU 71 determines at a predetermined timing whether or not ithas received a shooter appointment signal (step S501). The shooterappointment signal is a signal transmitted from the external controldevice 200 (see step S257 of FIG. 18). When determining that it has notreceived the shooter appointment signal from the external control device200, the main CPU 71 ends the present subroutine. On the other hand,when determining that it has received the shooter appointment signalfrom the external control device 200, the main CPU 71 sets a shooterappointment flag and executes a craps game-related processing (stepS502). The craps game-related processing is described later withreference to FIG. 28.

After the processing of step S502, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

As above, descriptions have been given on the shooter appointment signalreception processing executed by the gaming machine 1 with reference toFIG. 27.

<Craps Game-Related Processing>

Now, descriptions are given on craps game-related processing (see stepS502 of FIG. 27) executed by the gaming machine 1 according to the firstembodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 28.

FIG. 28 is a view of craps game-related processing executed by thegaming machine 1.

The main CPU 71 displays a craps game start image on the middle imagedisplay panel 650 (step S521). In this processing, an image asillustrated in FIG. 1H is displayed on the middle image display panel650.

Next, the main CPU 71 receives auto bet amount information from theexternal control device 200 (step S522). The auto bet amount informationis included in a signal transmitted from the external control device 200(see step S302 of FIG. 22).

Next, the main CPU 71 displays the auto bet amount indicated by the autobet amount information received in step S522 on the middle image displaypanel 650 (step S523).

Then, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not a shooter appointmentflag is set (step S524). The shooter appointment flag is a flag to beset when the main CPU 71 has determined that it had received the shooterappointment signal in step S501 of FIG. 27.

When determining that the shooter appointment flag is not set, the mainCPU 71 shifts the processing to step S528. On the other hand, whendetermining that the shooter appointment flag is set, the main CPU 71shifts the processing to step S525.

In step S525, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has receiveda roll command input signal. When the player has touched a portion onthe touch panel 114 corresponding to a roll request image 902 displayedon the lower image display panel 141, the touch panel 141 transmits atoll command input signal to the main CPU 71 (see FIG. 30A).

When determining that it has received the roll command input signal, themain CPU 71 shifts the processing to step S527. On the other hand, whendetermining that it has not received the roll command input signal, themain CPU 71 shifts the processing to step S526.

In step S526, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not a predeterminedtime has elapsed after executing the processing of step S524. Whendetermining that the predetermined time has not elapsed yet, the mainCPU 71 shifts the processing to step S525. On the other hand, whendetermining that the predetermined time has elapsed, the main CPU 71shifts the processing to step S527.

In step S527, the main CPU 71 transmits a roll command signal to theexternal control device 200. The external control device 200 extracts arandom value for craps game on receiving the roll command signal (seestep S305 of FIG. 22A).

Next, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has received awinning signal from the external control device 200 (step S528). Thewinning signal is a signal to be transmitted from the external controldevice 200 when the external control device 200 determines that theshooter has won in the craps game (see step S309 of FIG. 22B).

When determining that it has not received the winning signal from theexternal control device 200, the main CPU 71 shifts the processing tostep S533. On the other hand, when determining that it has received thewinning signal from the external control device 200, the main CPU 71displays a winning image on the middle image display panel 650 (stepS529). The winning image is an image indicating that the shooter has wonin the craps game.

After the processing of step S529, the main CPU 71 receivesamount-of-payout information from the external control device 200 (stepS530).

When the gaming machine including that main CPU 71 is a non-shootergaming machine, the external control device 200 transmitsamount-of-payout information indicative of the amount of payout for nonshooter (step S313 of FIG. 22B).

When the gaming machine including that main CPU 71 is a shooter gamingmachine, the external control device 200 transmits amount-of-payoutinformation indicative of the amount of payout for shooter (step S313 ofFIG. 22B).

Next, the main CPU 71 displays the amount of payout indicated by theamount-of-payout information received instep S530 on the middle imagedisplay panel 650 (step S531).

Then, the main CPU 71 adds the value of the amount of payout indicatedby the amount-of-payout information received in step S530 to the valuestored in the amount-of-credit storage area provided in the RAM 73 (stepS532).

After the processing of step S532, the main CPU 71 shifts the processingto step S524.

In step S533, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has receiveda loss signal from the external control device 20C. The loss signal is asignal to be transmitted from the external control device 200 when theexternal control device 20C determines that the shooter has lost (thedealer has won) in the craps game (see step S322 of FIG. 22B).

When determining that it has not received the loss signal from theexternal control device 200, the main CPU 71 shifts the processing tostep S535. On the other hand, when determining that it has received theloss signal from the external control device 200, the main CPU 71displays a loss image on the middle image display panel 640 (step S534).The loss image is an image indicating that the shooter has lost in thecraps game.

After the processing of step S534, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

In step S535, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has receiveda draw signal from the external control device 20C. The draw signal is asignal to be transmitted from the external control device 200 when theexternal control device 20C determines that neither the shooter nor thedealer has won in the craps game (see step S325 of FIG. 22).

When determining that it has not received the draw signal from theexternal control device 200, the main PCU 71 shifts the processing tostep S528. On the other hand, when determining that it has received thedraw signal from the external control device 200, the main CPU 71displays a draw image on the middle image display panel 650 (step S536).The draw image is an image indicating that the result of the craps gameis a draw.

After the processing of step S536, the main CPU 71 shifts the processingto step S524.

As above, descriptions are given on the craps game-related processingexecuted by the gaming machine 1 with reference to FIG. 28.

<Craps-Game Occurrence Signal Reception Processing>

Now, descriptions have been given on craps-game occurrence signalreception processing executed by the gaming machine 1 according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 29.

FIG. 29 is a view illustrating a flowchart of craps-game occurrencesignal reception processing executed by the gaming machine 1.

The main CPU 71 determines at a predetermined timing whether or not ithas received a craps game occurrence signal from the external controldevice 200 (step S551). The craps game occurrence signal is a signal tobe transmitted from the external control device 200 (see step S258 ofFIG. 18). When determining that it has not received the craps occurrencesignal from the external control device 200, the main CPU 71 ends thepresent subroutine. On the other hand, when determining that it hasreceived the craps game occurrence signal from the external controldevice 200, the main CPU 71 shifts the processing to step S552.

In step S552, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has receiveda non-shooter appointment signal from the external control device 200.The non-shooter appointment signal is a signal transmitted from theexternal control device 20C (see step S292 of FIG. 21). When determiningthat it has not received the non-shooter appointment signal from theexternal control device 200, the main CPU 71 shifts the processing tostep S553. On the other hand, when determining that it has not receivedthe non-shooter appointment signal from the external control device 200,the main CPU 71 shifts the processing to step S554.

In step S554, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not is has receiveda non-participant appointment signal from the external control device200. The non-participant appointment signal is a signal transmitted fromthe external control device 20C (see step S293 of FIG. 21). Whendetermining that it has not received the non-participant appointmentsignal from the external control device 200, the main CPU 71 shifts theprocessing to step S552. On the other hand, when determining that it hasnot received the non-participant appointment signal from the externalcontrol device 200, the main CPU 71 ends the present subroutine.

In step S553, the main CPU 71 executes the craps game-relatedprocessing.

The craps game-related processing has been already described withreference to FIG. 28.

After the processing of step S553, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

As above, descriptions have been given on the craps-game occurrencesignal reception processing executed by the gaming machine 1.

<Roll Image>

Now, descriptions are given on an image to be displayed on the lowerimage display panel 131 provided in the gaming machine 1 according tothe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30A is a view illustrating a roll image 1000 displayed on the lowerimage display panel 141 provided in the gaming machine selected as theshooter (shooter gaming machine).

More specifically, the roll image 1000 is an image displayed on thelower image display panel 141 provided in the gaming machine selected asthe shooter (shooter gaming machine). The roll image 1000 includes adisplay area for a bet table image 901 for craps game, a display areafor a roll button image 902 positioned under the bet table image 901,and a display area for a coin image 903.

The roll button image 92 displays characters of “Come out roll”, whenthe current state of the craps game is a timing of the come out roll. Onthe other hand, the roll button image 92 displays characters of “Pointroll”, when the current state of the craps game is a timing of the pointroll. The come out roll refers to the first roll and the point rollrefers to the second or later rolls. A press of the roll button image902 on the touch panel 114 (roll operation) enables a roll of diceimages 905. The dice images 905 appear on the bet table image 901 whenthe roll operation has been made and are displayed as animated images ofrolling dice until the result of the craps game is determined.

In addition, the roll image 1000 has a display area for a words-balloonimage 904. In the words-balloon image 904, characters of “Roll Please”are displayed. The words-balloon image 904 appears only when that gamingmachine is selected as the shooter. The words-balloon image 904 notifiesthe player that he or she has been selected as the shooter and signalsthe player to roll dice. Further, the roll image 1000 has a display areafor the coin image 903 on the side of the roll button image 902. Thenumber of the coin images 903 is increased or decreased in accordancewith the bet amount. Here, a relation between the number of the coinimages 903 and the bet amount may be one coin for one bet, oralternatively, one coin for N (natural number) bets.

As above, descriptions have been given on the roll image 1000 displayedon the lower image display panel 141 provided in the shooter gamingmachine with reference to FIG. 30A.

As above, an example of the first embodiment of the present inventionhas been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 30A. In this example,after the total prize amount data (first resource data) is updated tothe data indicative of the sum of the amount indicated by the totalprize amount data and the amount indicated by the total Hidden amountdata (second resource data), the game media is provided to the gamingmachine based on the updated total prize amount data.

However, in the processing (E) of the inventions (1) and (4) and in thestep (E) of the invention (11), after the total prize amount data (firstresource data) is updated to the data indicative of the amount indicatedby the total Hidden amount data (second resource data), the game mediamay be provided to the gaming machine based on the updated total prizeamount data.

In the following, an example is described where, after the total prizeamount data (first resource data) is updated to the data indicative ofthe amount indicated by the total Hidden amount data (second resourcedata), the game media is provided to the gaming machine based on theupdated total prize amount data.

<Total Hidden Amount Display Processing>

Next, descriptions are given on total Hidden amount display processing(see step S261 of FIG. 18) executed by an external control device 200according to another embodiment with reference to FIG. 30B.

FIG. 30B is a view illustrating a flowchart of total Hidden amountdisplay processing executed by the external control device 200.

First, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S571. Theprocessing is the same as the processing of step S371 of FIG. 26, andtherefore, the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After the processing of step S571, the main CPU 241 determines whetheror not the total Hidden amount indicated by the total Hidden amount datastored in the total Hidden amount storage area provided in the RAM 243is larger than the total prize amount indicated by the total prizeamount data stored in the total prize amount storage area provided inthe RAM 243 (step S572). When determining the total Hidden amountindicated by the total Hidden amount data stored in the total Hiddenamount storage area is smaller than the total prize amount indicated bythe total prize amount data stored in the total prize amount storagearea, the main CPU 241 ends the present subroutine. On the other hand,when determining the total Hidden amount indicated by the total Hiddenamount data stored in the total Hidden amount storage area is largerthan the total prize amount indicated by the total prize amount datastored in the total prize amount storage area, the main CPU 241determines the amount corresponding to the total Hidden amount indicatedby the total Hidden amount data stored in the total Hidden amountstorage area as a new total prize amount and updates thetotal-amount-prizes data (step S573).

Next, the main CPU 241 transmits total prize amount informationincluding the total prize amount data updated in step S573 to the gamingmachine 1 (step S574). On receiving the total prize amount informationfrom the external control device 200, the main CPU 71 provided in thegaming machine 1 executes the processing of displaying the total prizeamount indicated by the total prize amount data included in that totalprize amount information (not illustrated). In this processing, thetotal prize amount is displayed on the middle image display panel 650(see FIG. 1A).

Next, the main CPU 241 determines the amount corresponding to the totalHidden amount indicated by the total Hidden amount data stored in thetotal Hidden amount storage area and updates the total bonus amount data(step S575).

Then, the main CPU 241 sets the total Hidden amount indicated by thetotal Hidden amount data stored in the total Hidden amount storage areato zero (step S576).

In the present embodiment, the processing (E) in the inventions of (1)and (4) and the step (E) in the invention of (11) are configured asdescribed below.

Namely, when the total prize amount is reduced to the predeterminedamount (15000) or less, the data indicative of the total Hidden amountis stored in the first storage area as total prize amount data. Then, apart (predetermined percentage=14%) of the bet amount betted to the slotgame is added to that total Hidden amount so as to be accumulated. Whena predetermined condition is satisfied, game media is provided based onthe total prize amount data stored in the first storage area.

However, the processing (E) in the inventions of (1) and (4) and thestep (E) in the invention of (11) may also be configured as describedbelow.

Namely, when the total prize amount is reduced to the predeterminedamount (15000) or less, a part (the above predetermined percentage) ofthe bet amount betted to the slot game is added to the total Hiddenamount stored in the second storage area. When a predetermined conditionis satisfied, game media is provided based on the data stored in thesecond storage area.

As above, descriptions have been given on the total Hidden amountdisplay processing executed by the external control device 200.

As above, the first embodiment has been described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 30.

In the present embodiment, there has been described a case where thetotal prize amount storage area and the total Hidden amount storage areaare provided in one memory device called RAM 243. However, in thepresent invention, the first storage area and the second storage areamay be provided in different memory device separately.

In the present embodiment, there has been described a case where a partof the bet amount betted to the slot game is accumulated so as to formthe total Hidden amount. However, the second resource data in thepresent invention is not limited to this case. For example, the secondresource data may be overflow data in the inventions of (12) to (20).

Further, for example, data indicative of a fraction generated inexchanging money to another currency may be stored as the secondresource data. For example, in the case of exchanging 100 yen intoDollars when the exchange rate is 90 yen to the dollar, 10 yen as afraction may be accumulated as the total Hidden amount. In such a case,it is possible to employ a configuration where a currency convertercapable of exchanging a predetermined currency to another currency isconnected to the server or where such a currency converter is providedin the gaming machine.

In the present embodiment, there has been described a case where thepredetermined condition of the present invention is that “the individualbet amount in any of the gaming machines has reached the eventtriggering amount” (see step S253 of FIG. 18). However, thepredetermined condition of the present invention is not limited to thiscase. Namely, the predetermined condition of the present invention maybe that “the total prize amount stored in the total prize amount storagearea has reached the event triggering amount”. Further, thepredetermined condition of the present invention may be that “the totalHidden amount stored in the total Hidden amount storage area has reachedthe event triggering amount”. Furthermore, the predetermined conditionof the present invention may be that “the total bonus amount stored inthe total bonus amount storage area has reached the event triggeringamount”. Moreover, the predetermined condition of the present inventionmay be that “a random number extracted at a predetermined timing (e.g.when the spin button is pressed in the gaming machine) falls within apredetermined numerical range”.

In the present embodiment, a display (middle image display panel 650)capable of displaying an image is employed as an output device. However,the output device of the present invention may be a speaker capable ofoutputting sound. Alternatively, both a display and a speaker may beprovided as output devices.

Further, in the present embodiment, there has been described a casewhere the output device is included in the gaffing machine. However, theoutput device of the present invention may be connected to the server.Alternatively, both the output device connected to the server and theoutput device included in the gaming machine may be employed.

In the present embodiment, there has been described a case where theaccumulated bet amount of the present invention is the individual betamount. Here, the individual bet amount refers to the accumulated amountof the bet amount betted to the slot game for each gaming machine.However, the individual bet amount of the present invention is notlimited to this case. Namely, the individual bet amount of the presentinvention may be an amount formed by accumulating a part of the betamount betted to the slot game for each gaming machine.

In the present embodiment, there has been described a case where thecommon game of the present invention is the craps game. However, thecommon game of the present invention is not limited to this case.Namely, the common game of the present invention may be any kind of gameincluding a card game such as poker, or a game such as a shooting gameand a fighting game, provided that it is a game in which a plurality ofgaming machines can participate.

Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration may be employed inwhich a common game is not executed and game media is simply providedwhen a predetermined condition is satisfied.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a craps gameis executed when the individual bet amount has reached the eventtriggering amount and game media is provided in the craps game.Accordingly, it is possible to have the player play a game having anexpectation for an occurrence of the craps game.

In addition, even when the amount of game media indicated by the totalprize amount data becomes small, a payout can be conducted with use ofthe game media indicated by the total Hidden amount data as theresource. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the player's expectationfor the craps game.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, an image orsound notifies the player of the amount of game media indicated by thetotal prize amount data. This allows the player to know the amount ofgame media that may be provided when the predetermined condition issatisfied. A larger amount of game media indicated by the image or soundmay normally increase the player's expectation for the satisfaction ofthe predetermined condition.

On the other hand, the reduced amount of game media indicated by thefirst resource data may reduce the player's expectation for thesatisfaction of the predetermined condition. In this regard, accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention, the player is notifiedof the amount of game media indicated by the total Hidden amount dataafter the amount of gave media indicated by the total prize amount datais reduced to the predetermined amount or less. This allows the playerto maintain his or her expectation for the satisfaction of thepredetermined condition.

Further, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, theplayer is notified of the amount of game media indicated by the totalprize amount data until the amount of game media indicated by the totalprize amount data is reduced to the predetermined amount. Then, theplayer is suddenly notified of the amount of game media indicated by thetotal Hidden amount data when the amount of game media indicated by thetotal prize amount data is reduced to the predetermined amount or less.This may surprise the player and the player may feel as if he or she hasfound secret savings. As a result, it is possible to provide a moreinteresting game to allow the player to be absorbed in the game.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment of the present invention,an amount corresponding to apart of the game media betted in the gamingmachine is accumulated. The total prize amount data indicates the amountof game media thus accumulated. When the predetermined condition issatisfied, game media is provided based on the total prize amount data.Accordingly, the player having received the game media when thepredetermined condition is satisfied may feel as if a part of the gamemedia betted by other players is paid out to him or her. This may offera sense of superiority and satisfaction to the player.

Moreover, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, apart of the amount of game media betted in the gaming machine isaccumulated. The total Hidden amount data indicates the amount of gamemedia thus accumulated. Accordingly, every time the player places a betin the gaming machine, the amount of game media indicated by the totalHidden amount data is definitely increased. Consequently, the player canprepare for the case where the amount of the game media indicated by thetotal prize amount data becomes small.

Second Embodiment

In a second embodiment, the inventions of (12) to (20) are described.

In the following, the same reference numerals are given to thecomponents identical to the components of the gaming system 300according to the first embodiment.

Descriptions are omitted for parts in the second embodiment to whichdescriptions in the first embodiment are applicable.

First, the outline of the second embodiment is described with referenceto FIG. 31.

FIG. 31 is a conceptual view for explaining the outline of the presentembodiment.

FIG. 31 is schematic view illustrating the state where the total prizeamount has already reached the predetermined amount.

As illustrated in FIG. 31, a part of the bet amount is accumulated intothe total prize amount until the total amount reaches a predeterminedamount (99999) in the present embodiment. A part of the bet amountbetted after reaching of the total prize amount to the predeterminedamount (99999) is accumulated into the total overflowing amount.

In the present embodiment, the amount resulting from accumulating a partof the bet amount betted after reaching of the total prize amount to thepredetermined amount (99999) is referred to as an overflowing amount.

As above, in the present embodiment, the overflowing amount isaccumulated into the total overflowing amount.

The data showing the total overflowing amount in the present embodimentcorresponds to the overflow data in the inventions of (12) to (20).Further, the total overflowing amount storage area in the presentembodiment corresponds to the second storage area in the inventions of(12) to (20).

In the above, the outline of the second embodiment has been describedwith reference to FIG. 31.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment is described in more detail.

<Bet: Amount Information Reception Processing>

Next, with reference to FIG. 32A, the bet amount information receptionprocessing is described which is executed by the external control device200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32A is a view illustrating a flowchart of the bet amountinformation reception processing executed by the external control device200.

The main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S2251 to step S2260.The processing is the same as the processing of step S251 to step S260of FIG. 18, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After the processing of step S260, the main CPU 241 executes totaloverflowing amount display processing (step S2261). The totaloverflowing amount display processing will be described later withreference to FIG. 32D.

After the processing of step S2261, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

In the above, the bet amount information reception processing executedby the external control device 200 has been described with reference toFIG. 32A.

<Bet-Related Amount Update Processing>

With reference to FIG. 32B, the bet-related amount update processing(see step S252 of FIG. 18) is described which is executed by theexternal control device 200 according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 32B is a view illustrating a flowchart of the bet-related amountupdate processing executed by the external control device 200.

As described with reference to FIG. 19, the bet-related amount isupdated based on the bet amount information transmitted from the gamingmachine 1 in step S51 described with reference to FIG. 10.

First, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S601 to stepS602. The processing is the same as the processing of step S271 to stepS272 of FIG. 19, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After the processing of step S602, the main CPU 241 determines whetheror not a full flag is set (step S603). The full flag shows that thetotal prize amount, shown by the total prize amount data stored in thetotal prize amount storage area provided in the RAM 243, has reached thepredetermined amount (99999) (see step S608 to step S611).

When determining that the full flag is not set, the main CPU 241 shiftsthe processing to step S605.

In contrast, when determining that the full flag is set, the main CPU241 executes the processing of adding the amount, corresponding to 14%of the bet amount shown by the bet amount information, to the totaloverflowing amount shown by the total overflowing amount data stored inthe total overflowing amount storage area provided in the RAM 243 (stepS604).

After the processing of step S604, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

In step S605, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the sum of thetotal prize amount shown by the total prize amount data stored in thetotal prize amount storage area provided in the RAM 243 and the amountcorresponding to 14% of the bet amount shown by the bet amountinformation is equal to or smaller than the predetermined amount(99999).

When determining that the sum of the total prize amount shown by thetotal prize amount data stored in the total prize amount storage areaand the amount corresponding to 14% of the bet amount shown by the betamount information is not equal to or smaller than the predeterminedamount (99999), the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S608. Onthe other hand, when determining that the sum of the total prize amountshown by the total prize amount data stored in the total prize amountstorage area and the amount corresponding to 14% of the bet amount shownby the bet amount information is equal to or smaller than thepredetermined amount (99999), the main CPU 241 shifts the processing tostep S606.

Next, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S605 to stepS607. The processing is the same as the processing of step S273 to stepS274 of FIG. 19, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After the processing of step S607, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

In step S608, the main CPU 241 sets the total prize amount, shown by thetotal prize amount data stored in the total prize amount storage areaprovided in the RAM 243, to the predetermined amount.

Next, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S609. Theprocessing is the same as the processing of step S274 of FIG. 19, andthus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After the processing of step S609, the main CPU 241 sets as the totaloverflowing amount an amount resulting from subtracting thepredetermined amount (99999) from the sum of the total prize amountshown by the total prize amount data stored in the total prize amountstorage area provided in the RAM 243 and the amount corresponding to 14%of the bet amount shown by the bet amount information (step S610).

Next, the main CPU 241 sets the full flag (step S611).

After the processing of step S611, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

In the above, the bet-related amount update processing executed by theexternal control device 200 according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention has been described with; reference to FIG. 32.

<Craps Game Execution Processing>

With reference to FIG. 32C, the craps game execution processing (seestep S260 of FIG. 18) is described which is executed by the externalcontrol device 200 according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 32C is a view illustrating a flowchart of the craps game executionprocessing executed by the external control device 200.

The main CPU 241 executes the processing of steps S641 to S648, stepsS650 to S653, and steps S655 to S664. The processing is the same as theprocessing of steps S307 to S314, steps S315 to S318, and steps S319 toS328 of FIG. 22B, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Accordingly, only steps S649 and S654 of FIG. 32C are described here.

After the processing of step S648, the main CPU 241 clears the full flag(step S649). Here, the full flag is a flag that is set when the totalprize amount has been set to the predetermined amount (see step S611 ofFIG. 32B).

After the processing of step S653, the main CPU 241 clears the full flag(step S654).

In the above, with reference to FIG. 32C, the craps game executionprocessing has been described which is executed by the external controldevice 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

<Total Overflowing Amount Display Processing>

Now, with reference to FIG. 32D, the total overflowing amount displayprocessing (see step S2261 of FIG. 32A) is described which is executedby the external control device 200 according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 32D is a view illustrating a flowchart of the total overflowingamount display processing executed by the external control device 200.

The main CPU 241 determines whether or not the total prize amount shownby the total prize amount data stored in the total prize amount storagearea provided in the RAM 243 is equal to or smaller than thepredetermined value (step S2371). When determining that the total prizeamount shown by the total prize amount data stored in the total prizeamount storage area provided in the RAM 243 is not equal to or smallerthan the predetermined value, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine. On the other hand, when determining that the total prizeamount shown by the total prize amount data stored in the total prizeamount storage area is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value,the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S2372.

In step S2372, the main CPU 241 determines as a new total prize amountthe sum of the total overflowing amount shown by the total overflowingamount data stored in the total overflowing amount storage area providedin the RAM 243 and the total prize amount shown by the total prizeamount data stored in the total prize amount storage area provided inthe RAM 243, and updates the total prize amount data.

Next, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S2373 to stepS2374. The processing is the same as the processing of step S373 to stepS374 of FIG. 26, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Next, the main CPU 241 sets the total overflowing amount, shown by thetotal overflowing amount data stored in the total overflowing amountstorage area, to 0 (step S2375).

After step S2375, the main CPU 241 ends the present subroutine.

In the above, the total overflowing amount display processing executedby the external control device 200 has been described with reference toFIG. 32D.

In the above, one example of the second embodiment of the presentinvention has been described with reference to FIG. 32A to FIG. 32D. Theoverflowing amount is accumulated into the total overflowing amount inthis example. In the inventions of (12) to (20), the overflowing amountmay be accumulated into the total Hidden amount described in the firstembodiment as well as into the total overflowing amount.

Hereinafter, an example is given in which the total Hidden amount isaccumulated, with reference to FIG. 33A and FIG. 33B.

With reference to FIG. 33A, the bet-related amount update processing(see step S252 of FIG. 18) is described which is executed by theexternal control device 200 according to another embodiment.

FIG. 33A is a view illustrating the bet-related amount update processingexecuted by the external control device 200.

As described with reference to FIG. 19, the bet-related amount isupdated based on the bet amount information transmitted from the gamingmachine 1 in step S51 described with reference to FIG. 10.

First, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S671 to stepS681. The processing is the same as the processing of step S601 to stepS611 of FIG. 32B, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Accordingly, only step S682 is described here.

In step S682, the main CPU 241 executes processing of adding an amount,corresponding to 2% of the bet amount shown by the bet amountinformation, to the total Hidden amount shown by the total Hidden amountdata stored in the total Hidden amount storage area provided in the RAM243.

After the processing of step S682, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

In the above, with reference to FIG. 33A, the bet-related amount updateprocessing has been described which is executed by the external controldevice 200 according to the other embodiment of the present invention.

<Total Overflowing Amount Display Processing>

Now, with reference to FIG. 33B, the total overflowing amount displayprocessing (see step S2261 of FIG. 32A) executed by the external controldevice 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention isdescribed.

FIG. 33B is a view illustrating a flowchart of the total overflowingamount display processing executed by the external control device 200.

Next, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S700. Theprocessing is the same as the processing of step S2371 of FIG. 32D, andthus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In step S701, the main CPU 241 determines as a new total prize amountthe sum of the total overflowing amount shown by the total overflowingamount data stored in the total overflowing amount storage area providedin the RAM 243 and the total prize amount shown by the total prizeamount data stored in the total prize amount storage area provided inthe RAM 243, and updates the total prize amount data.

Next, the main CPU 241 sets the total overflowing amount, shown by thetotal overflowing amount data stored in the total overflowing amountstorage area, to 0 (step S702).

Then, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the total prize amountshown by the total prize amount data stored in the total prize amountstorage area provided in the RAM 243 is equal to or smaller than thepredetermined value (step S703). When determining that the total prizeamount shown by the total prize amount data stored in the total prizeamount storage area is not equal to or smaller than the predeterminedvalue, the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S706. On the otherhand, when determining that the total prize amount shown by the totalprize amount data stored in the total prize amount storage area is equalto or smaller than the predetermined value, the main CPU 241 shifts theprocessing to step S704.

In step S704, the main CPU 241 determines as a new total prize amountthe sum of the total Hidden amount shown by the total Hidden amount datastored in the total Hidden amount storage area provided in the RAM 243and the total prize amount shown by the total prize amount data storedin the total prize amount storage area provided in the RAM 243, andupdates the total prize amount data.

Next, the main CPU 241 sets the total Hidden amount, shown by the totalHidden amount data stored in the total Hidden amount storage area, to 0(step S705).

When determining after step S705 or in step S703 that the total prizeamount shown by the total prize amount data stored in the total prizeamount storage area is not equal to or smaller than the predeterminedvalue, the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S706.

The main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S706 to step S707. Theprocessing is the same as the processing of step S2373 to step S2374 ofFIG. 32D, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After the processing of step S707, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

In the above, with reference to FIG. 33B, the total overflowing amountdisplay processing (see step S2261 of FIG. 32A) has been described whichis executed by the external control device 200 according to the otherembodiment of the present invention.

Hereinbefore, the example has been described in which the total Hiddenamount is accumulated, with reference to FIG. 33A and FIG. 33B.

In the above, the second embodiment has been described with reference toFIG. 31 to FIG. 33.

In the present embodiment, examples have been described in which theamount of game media shown by the overflow data in the inventions of(12) to (20) is not displayed together with the total prize amount (thefirst resource data), on the middle image display panel 650. However,the amount of game media shown by the overflow data in the inventions of(12) to (20) may be displayed together with the total prize amount (thefirst resource data).

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, when theindividual bet amount reaches an event triggering amount, the craps gameis executed and game media is provided based on the total prize amountdata, whereby the amount of game media indicated by the total prizeamount data is reduced. Namely, the game media indicated by the totalprize amount data is used as a resource of the payout. Further, when theindividual bet amount reaches the amount of an event triggering amountand a craps game is executed after the amount of game media shown by thetotal prize amount data is reduced to the predetermined amount or less,game media is provided based on the total overflowing amount data(overflow data).

Accordingly, even when the amount of game media indicated by the totalprize amount data becomes small, it is possible to pay out game media byusing the game media indicated by the total overflowing amount data as aresource. Consequently, it is possible to maintain the player'sexpectation for the payout of game media to be conducted in the crapsgame.

Further, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, animage or a sound notifies the player of the amount of the game mediashown by the total prize amount data. This allows the player to know theamount of game media that may be provided when the craps game isgenerated. A larger amount of game media indicated by the image or thesound may normally increase the player's expectation for the generationof the craps game.

On the other hand, when payout is conducted in the craps game to reducethe amount of game media indicated by total prize amount data, theplayer's expectation for the generation of the craps game may bereduced. In this regard, according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention, the player is notified of the amount of game mediaindicated by the total overflowing amount data after the amount of gamemedia indicated by the total prize amount data has been reduced to thepredetermined amount or less. This maintains the player's expectationfor the generation of the craps game.

Further, according to the second embodiment of the present invention,the player is notified of the amount of game media indicated by thetotal prize amount data until the amount of game media indicated by thetotal prize amount data is reduced to the predetermined amount. Then,the player is suddenly notified of the amount of game media indicated bythe total overflowing amount data when the amount of game mediaindicated by the total prize amount data is reduced to the predeterminedamount or less. This may surprise the player and the player may feel asif he or she has found secret savings. As a result, it is possible toprovide a more interesting game to allow the player to be absorbed inthe game.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the amountin accordance with the amount of game media betted in the gaming machineis accumulated in the total prize amount storage area. The total prizeamount data indicates the amount of game media thus accumulated. Afterthe amount of game media indicated by the total prize amount data hasreached the predetermined amount, the amount in accordance with theamount of game media betted in the gaming machine is accumulated in thetotal overflowing amount storage area. The total overflowing amount dataindicates the amount of game media thus accumulated. Based on the totaloverflowing amount data, game media is provided in the craps game.

Accordingly, even after the amount of game media indicated by the totalprize amount data has reached the predetermined amount, game mediabetted in the gaming machine is accumulated ongoingly. The accumulatedgame media is used as a resource of the payout in the craps game. Thiscan surprise the player who may think that the accumulation of gamemedia has been terminated because the amount of game media indicated bythe total prize amount data has reached the predetermined amount. As aresult, it is possible to provide a more interesting game to allow theplayer to be absorbed in the game.

Third Embodiment

In a third embodiment, the inventions of (21) to (26) are described.

In the following, the same reference numerals are given to thecomponents identical to the components of the gaming system 300according to either of the above embodiments.

Descriptions are omitted for parts in the third embodiment to whichdescriptions in either of the above embodiments are applicable.

First, the outline of the third embodiment is described with referenceto FIG. 34.

FIG. 34A is a view illustrating a management-side input device connectedto an external control device according to the third embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 34B to FIG. 34C are views illustrating an exemplary image displayedon the common display device included in the gaming system according tothe third embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 34A, a management-side input device 740 and anadministrative display device 660 (see FIG. 34A; are connected to theexternal control device 200.

The administrator or the like of the game facility having the gamingsystem 300 constructed therein can input a command to change thesettings of the accumulation percentage for the total prize amount (seeFIG. 1B), a setting range of the event triggering amount, and a settingamount for participation, using the management-side input device 740.

Each of the accumulation percentage for the total prize amount (see FIG.1B), the setting range of the event triggering amount, and the settingamount for participation corresponds to the “setting related to thecommon game” in the invention of (21).

The accumulation percentage for the total prize amount corresponds tothe “accumulation percentage” in the invention of (22).

The setting range of the event triggering amount corresponds to “a rangeof the accumulated amount” in the invention of (23).

Further, each of the accumulation percentage for the total prize amount,the setting range of the event triggering amount, and the setting amountfor participation correspond to the “common game-related value” in theinvention of (25).

The management-side input device 740 is not specifically limited as longas being able to receive an input for configuring a setting related to acommon game, and may be a keyboard input device, a touch-panel inputdevice, or the like.

Each of the 1-bet button 34 and the maximum bet button 35 corresponds tothe terminal-side input device in the present invention.

When an input is made for changing the accumulation percentage for thetotal prize amount, the setting range of the event triggering amount, orthe setting amount for participation, the administrative display device660 displays a setting changing image (see FIG. 34B) and asetting-changed image (see FIG. 34C).

As illustrated in FIG. 34B, the setting changing image includes acharacter image 3310 saying “please enter values to which you wish tochange the displayed values.”

The setting changing image also includes an image 3302 for changingaccumulation percentage, an image 3303 for changing setting range ofevent triggering amount, and an image 3304 for changing setting amountfor participation.

Further, the setting changing image includes a setting image 3305showing the accumulation percentage, the setting range of the eventtriggering amount, and the setting amount for participation which are ofbefore the change.

As illustrated in FIG. 34C, the setting-changed image includes acharacter image 3311 saying “the settings were changed.”

The setting-changed image also includes the image 3302 for changingaccumulation percentage, the image 3303 for changing setting range ofevent triggering amount, and the image 3304 for changing setting amountfor participation.

Further, the setting-changed image includes the setting image 3305showing the accumulation percentage, the setting range of the eventtriggering amount, and the setting amount for participation which are ofafter the change.

Hereinbefore, the third embodiment has been summarized with reference toFIG. 34A to FIG. 34C.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment is further described in detail.

Next, craps game value input processing is described with reference toFIG. 35.

FIG. 35 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the craps game value inputprocessing executed by the external control device according to thethird embodiment of the present invention.

Although not illustrated, the administrator or the like of the gamefacility can have the setting changing image (see FIG. 34B) displayed bymaking a predetermined operation using the management-side input device740.

The processing shown in FIG. 35 is executed when the setting changingimage (see FIG. 34B) is displayed.

First, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not it has received anaccumulation percentage changing signal (step S3401). The accumulationpercentage changing signal is transmitted when an input for changing theaccumulation percentage is made via the management-side input device740. The accumulation percentage changing signal carries accumulationpercentage data showing the inputted accumulation percentage.

When the main CPU 241 determines that it has received the accumulationpercentage changing signal, the main CPU 241 determines whether or notthe accumulation percentage shown by the accumulation percentage dataincluded in the accumulation percentage changing signal falls within thenumerical range shown by an accumulation percentage threshold (stepS3402).

The accumulation percentage threshold is the range within which theaccumulation percentage can be changed. The accumulation percentagethreshold data showing the accumulation percentage threshold is storedin the ROM 242.

The accumulation percentage threshold data corresponds to the thresholddata in the invention of (25), and the ROM 242 corresponds to the memorydevice in the invention of (25).

When determining that the accumulation percentage shown by theaccumulation percentage data included in the accumulation percentagechanging signal falls within the numerical range shown by theaccumulation percentage threshold, the main CPU 241 stores into thestorage area of the RAM 243 the data showing the accumulation percentageas post-change accumulation percentage data (step S3403). The RAM 243corresponds to the memory device in the invention of (25). Thepost-change accumulation percentage data corresponds to the post-settingcommon game-related value data in the present invention.

After execution of step S3403, when the main CPU 241 determines in stepS3401 that it has not received the accumulation percentage changingsignal, or when the main CPU 241 determines in step S3402 that theaccumulation percentage shown by the accumulation percentage dataincluded in the accumulation percentage changing signal does not fallwithin the numerical range shown by the accumulation percentagethreshold, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not it has received asetting-amount-for-participation changing signal (step S3404). Thesetting-amount-for-participation changing signal is transmitted when aninput for changing the setting amount for participation is made via themanagement-side input device 740. The setting-amount-for-participationchanging signal carries accumulation percentage data showing theinputted setting amount for participation.

When the main CPU 241 determines that it has received thesetting-amount-for-participation signal, the main CPU 241 determineswhether or not the setting amount for participation shown by thesetting-amount-for-participation data included in thesetting-amount-for-participation signal falls within the numerical rangeshown by the setting-amount-for-participation threshold (step S3405).The setting-amount-for-participation threshold is the range within whichthe setting amount for participation can be changed. Thesetting-amount-for-participation threshold data showing thesetting-amount-for-participation threshold is stored in the ROM 242.

The setting-amount-for-participation threshold data corresponds to thethreshold data in the invention of (25), and the ROM 242 corresponds tothe memory device in the invention of (25).

When determining that the setting amount for participation shown by thesetting-amount-for-participation data included in thesetting-amount-for-participation changing signal falls within thenumerical range shown by the setting-amount-for-participation threshold,the main CPU 241 stores the data showing the setting amount forparticipation as post-change setting-amount-for-participation data, intothe storage area of RAM 243 (step S3406).

The RAM 243 corresponds to the memory device in the invention of (25).

The post-change setting-amount-for-participation data corresponds to thepost-setting common game-related value data in the present invention.

After execution of step S3406, when the main CPU 241 determines in stepS3404 that it has not received the setting-amount-for-participationsignal, or when the main CPU 241 determines in step S3405 that thesetting amount for participation shown by thesetting-amount-for-participation data included in thesetting-amount-for-participation changing signal does not fall withinthe numerical range shown by the setting-amount-for-participationthreshold, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not it has received asignal for changing setting range of event triggering amount (stepS3407). The signal for changing setting range of event triggering amountis transmitted when an input for changing the setting range of the eventtriggering amount is made via the management-side input device 740. Thesignal for changing setting range of event triggering amount carriesdata of setting range of event triggering amount showing the inputtedsetting range of the event triggering amount.

When the main CPU 241 determines that it has received the signal forchanging the setting range of the event triggering amount, the main CPU241 determines whether or not the setting range of the event triggeringamount shown by the data of the setting range of the event triggeringamount included in the signal for changing the setting range of theevent triggering amount falls within the numerical range shown by thethreshold of the setting range of the event triggering amount (stepS3408). The threshold of the setting range of the event triggeringamount is the range within which the setting range of the eventtriggering amount can be changed. The threshold data of the settingrange of the event triggering amount showing the threshold of thesetting range of the event triggering amount is stored in the ROM 242.

The threshold data of the setting range of the event triggering amountcorresponds to the threshold data in the invention of (25), and the ROM242 corresponds to the memory device in the invention of (25).

When determining that the setting range of the event triggering amountshown by the data of the setting range of the event triggering amountincluded in the signal for changing the setting range of the eventtriggering amount falls within the numerical range shown by thethreshold of the setting range of the event triggering amount, the mainCPU 241 stores data showing the setting range of the event triggeringamount as the post-change data of the setting range of the eventtriggering amount, into the storage area of the RAM 243 (step S3409).The RAM 243 corresponds to the memory device in the invention of (25).The post-change data of the setting range of the event triggering amountcorresponds to the post-setting common game related value data in thepresent invention.

After execution of step S3409, when the main CPU 241 determines in stepS3407 that it has not received the signal for changing the setting rangeof the event triggering amount, or when the main CPU 241 determines instep S3408 that the setting range of the event triggering amount shownby the data of the setting range of the event triggering amount includedin the signal for changing the setting range of the event triggeringamount does not fall within the numerical range shown by the thresholdof the setting range of the event triggering amount, the main CPU 241ends the present subroutine.

Next, with reference to FIG. 36A to FIG. 36B, the craps game executionprocessing (see step S260 of FIG. 18) is described.

FIG. 36 are views illustrating a flowchart of the craps game executionprocessing executed by the gaming system according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention.

First, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S3301 to stepS3320, and step S3321 to step S3328. The processing is the same as theprocessing of step S301 to step S320 and of step S321 to step S328described with reference to FIG. 22A to FIG. 22B, and thus thedescriptions thereof are omitted here.

After executing step S3320, the main CPU 241 executes event triggeringamount determination processing (step S3330). In this step, the main CPU241 extracts a random value and determines one event triggering amountfrom among the amounts in the range of the setting range of the eventtriggering amounts shown by the post-change data of the setting range ofthe event triggering amount stored in the RAM 243.

The main CPU 241 stores the data showing the determined event triggeringamount into the storage area of the RAM 243.

After executing step S3330, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

In the above, the third embodiment has been described with reference toFIG. 34 to FIG. 36.

Although the accumulation percentage for the total prize amount, thesetting range of the event triggering amount, and the setting amount forparticipation are adopted as the settings related to the common game,the “setting related to a common game” in the invention of (21) is notlimited to this example.

For example, the setting related to a common game may be the accumulatedamount or a payout ratio in the common game.

Alternatively, the setting related to a common game may be settingrelated to acceptance of an input for an additional bet (see a fifthembodiment). For example, the setting accepting an input for anadditional bet and the setting not accepting such an input may beswitchable.

In the present embodiment, when the setting range of the eventtriggering amount is to be set to a desired numerical range (forexample, $200 to 300), a reference value (for example, 250) may beinputted via the management-side input device 740 (see FIG. 34B).However, in the invention of (23), input of a lower limit (for example,200) and an upper limit (for example, 300) may change the setting rangeof the event triggering amount.

In the present embodiment, the setting amount for participation iscommon to all the gaming machines 1. However, the setting amount forparticipation may differ for each gaming machine. In the invention of(24), different setting amounts for participation may be set for therespective gaming machines by operation of the input device.

In the present embodiment, the memory device storing post-setting commongame related value data and the memory device storing threshold data aredifferent memory devices. However, in the invention of (25), the memorydevice storing post-setting common game related value data and thememory device storing threshold data may be the same memory device.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, the amountof game media corresponding to the accumulation percentage (which is setwith use of the management-side input device) of the amount of gamemedia betted in the gaming machine is accumulated. In the craps game,game media is provided based on the amount of game media thusaccumulated. Namely, the accumulated game media is used as a resource ofthe payout in the craps game.

A manager of a game facility can set the accumulation percentage byusing the management-side input device. For example, at the time of theday or on the day of week, when less gaming machines tend to beoperated, it is possible to secure the resource for the payout in thecraps game by setting a larger accumulation percentage. On the otherhand, at the time of the day or on the day of week, when more gamingmachines tend to be operated, it is possible to set a smalleraccumulation percentage and increase the profit of the game facility bythat amount.

Accordingly, the manager is allowed to maintain the game facilityquickly and easily so that the best accumulation percentagecorresponding to their management strategy is set.

Further, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, theamount in accordance with the amount of game media betted in each of thegaming machines is accumulated in association with the gaming machine.Then, the craps game is executed when any of the individual bet amountscorresponding to the amounts of game media each accumulated for one ofthe gaming machines has reached the event triggering amount. The eventtriggering amount is specified within the range set with use of themanagement-side input device by a lottery.

A manager of a game facility can set the range of the event triggeringamount by using the management-side input device.

For example, in accordance with various factors such as the day of week,a time period, a season, and an economic trend, the manager can set thesetting range of the event triggering amount so as to allow a smallerevent triggering amount to be easily specified to produce a situationthat the craps game is more likely to be executed. Alternatively, themanager can set the setting range of the event triggering amount so asto allow a larger event triggering amount to be easily specified toproduce a situation that the craps game is less likely to be executed.

Accordingly, the manager is allowed to maintain the game facilityquickly and easily so that the best setting range of the eventtriggering amount corresponding to their management strategy is set.

Furthermore, according to the third embodiment of the present invention,the event triggering amount is specified within the range set with useof the management-side input device by a lottery at the end of the crapsgame. This may provide a craps game that is different every time in theevent triggering amount within the set range. As a result, a craps gamemay be generated earlier than the timing expected by the player tosurprise the player, or a craps game may not be generated after thetiming expected by the player to worry the player. In this manner, it ispossible to provide a game that swats the player emotionally.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, the amountin accordance with the amount of game media betted in the gaming machineis accumulated in association with a the gaming machine. The gamingmachine allowed to participate in the craps game is a gaming machine inwhich the individual bet amount corresponding to the amount of gamemedia accumulated in association with that gaming machine has reachedthe setting amount for participation set with use of the management-sideinput device or more.

A manager of a game facility can set the setting amount forparticipation by using the management-side input device.

For example, at the time of the day or on the day of week, when lessgaming machines tend to be operated, the manager can set a smallersetting amount for participation to secure the number of playersparticipating in the craps game, resulting in the exciting craps game.On the other hand, at the time of the day or on the day of week, whenmore gaming machines tend to be operated, the manager can set a largersetting amount for participation to encourage the players that want toparticipate in the craps game to bet more game media. Further, it ispossible to provide the players allowed to participate in the craps gamewith a sense of superiority.

Accordingly, the manager is allowed to maintain the game facilityquickly and easily so that the best setting amount for participationcorresponding to their management strategy is set.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, the commongame-related value indicated by the data included in the setting changesignal is used as a new common game-related value, on condition that thecommon game-related value falls within the range indicated by thethreshold data. Then, the common game is executed based on that commongame-related value.

Accordingly, it is impossible to set the common game-related value notfalling within the range indicated by the threshold data. Therefore, itis possible to avoid the case where the value not intended by themanagement of the game facility is set as the common game-related valueby cheating, mistake, or the like. For example, it is possible to avoidthe case where an unexpectedly large amount of game media is paid out inthe craps game. As a result, it is possible to secure the soundoperation and the credibility of the casino.

Fourth Embodiment

In a fourth embodiment, the inventions of (27) to (30) are described.

In the following, the same reference numerals are given to thecomponents identical to the components of the gaming system 300according to any of the above embodiments.

Descriptions are omitted for parts in the fourth embodiment to whichdescriptions in any of the above embodiments are applicable.

The fourth embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 37A and FIG.37B.

FIG. 37A is an exemplary image displayed on the upper image displaypanel 131.

As a game explanation image 4410 of FIG. 37A shows, a larger bet amounton a slot game leads to a larger auto bet amount in the presentembodiment. That is, the auto bet amount is increased along with theincrease in the individual bet amount. This has been described withreference to FIG. 1G to FIG. 1I.

Further, as described with reference to FIG. 1G and FIG. 1I, the autobet amount is a bet amount determined in accordance with the individualbet amount and set for the pass line bet in the gaming machineparticipating in the craps game. Also, description has been alreadygiven that the amount of game media to be paid out when the shooter winsin the craps game is increased in accordance with the increase in theauto bet amount (see FIG. 1G).

As the game explanation image 4410 of FIG. 37A shows, the prize amountpaid in the craps game is increased along with the increase in theindividual bet amount in the present embodiment. This has been describedwith reference to FIG. 1G to 1J.

In this manner, the auto bet amount determined in accordance with theindividual bet amount is increased along with the increase in theindividual bet amount in the present embodiment. Further, the amount ofgame media to be paid out when the shooter wins in the craps game isincreased in accordance with the increase in the auto bet amount.

FIG. 37B is a schematic view illustrating a relation between gamingmachines and auto bet amounts indicated by the auto bet amount datastored in the auto bet amount storage area provided in the RAM 243.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 37B, pieces of auto bet amount dataare stored in association with respective terminal numbers 001, 002, and005.

In the present embodiment, the auto bet amount data is determined withrespect to each participating gaming machine after the participatinggaming machines are determined (see step S259 to step 260 of FIG. 18,and step S301 of FIG. 22A). Hence, in the example shown in FIG. 37B, acraps game is executed in which the gaming machines 1 allocated with therespective terminal numbers 001, 002, and 005 participate.

That is, when the auto bet amount data corresponding to one gamingmachine is stored, the next craps game is executed in which the onegaming machine participates.

As described above, apiece of stored auto bet amount data correspondingto one gaming machine shows that the one gaming machine has the right toparticipate in the craps game.

When the shooter wins the craps game, the auto bet amount set for thecraps game is maintained when the next craps game is executed (see FIG.22A and FIG. 22B).

In this manner, the same auto bet amount is maintained until the shooterloses the craps game.

The main CPU 241 provided in the external control device 200 sets theauto bet amount indicated by the auto bet amount data to 0 in step S320(in the end of the craps game) (see step S320 of FIG. 22B). That is,when the shooter loses a craps game, the auto bet amount set for thecraps game is set to 0. Accordingly, when the shooter loses the crapsgame, the auto bet amount set for the craps game is not carried over tothe next craps game. Further, the processing for determining the autobet amount as the amount of payout is not executed in step S320 (in theend of the craps game) (see FIG. 22B). That is, when a series of crapsgames ends, the auto bet amount set for the last craps game in theseries of craps games cannot be the amount of payout. Accordingly, theauto bet amount set for the last craps game of the series of craps gamesis not paid out to the player.

After transmitting a winning signal to the gaming machine 1 in step S309of FIG. 22B, the main CPU 241 provided in the external control device200 determines that the auto bet amount is the amount of payout (seestep S311 to step S312 of the FIG. 22B). That is, when the shooter winsa craps game, the auto bet amount set for the craps game is set as theamount of payout. On the other hand, the main CPU 241 does not executethe processing of determining that the auto bet amount is the amount ofpayout, after transmitting a loss signal to the gaming machine 1 in stepS322 of FIG. 22B. That is, when the shooter loses a craps game, the autobet amount set for the craps game is not set as the amount of payout.

In this manner, when the shooter loses a craps game, the auto bet amountset for the craps game is not paid out to the player.

In the above, the fourth embodiment has been described with reference toFIG. 37A to FIG. 37B.

In the present embodiment, the amount of game media betted on the crapsgame is determined as the auto bet amount even when the player has notbetted game media. However, the processing (C) in the invention of (27)is not limited to this example. For example, an input for betting gamemedia may be accepted up to the upper limit amount (for example, 100)corresponding to the amount of game media (for example, 1000)accumulated.

Further, in the present embodiment, the amount of the game media to bebetted on the craps game is determined based on the amount of individualbet (accumulated bet amount). However, the processing (C) in theinvention of (27) is not limited to this example. For example, in theprocessing (C) in the invention of (27), the amount of game media to bebetted on the common game may be determined based on the total amount ofgame media betted at each gaming machine.

According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the amountin accordance with the amount of game media betted in each of the gamingmachines is accumulated. Then, the amount of game media (bet amount forcraps game) to be betted on the craps game is determined based on theamount of game media thus accumulated. In the craps game, game media inan amount based on the bet amount for craps game thus determined and theresult of the craps game is provided.

Accordingly, the amount of game media which may be provided in the crapsgame is increased along with the increase in the amount of game mediastored by accumulation. Therefore, the player may be greatly interestedin the amount of stored game media. On the other hand, the result of thecraps game makes a difference in whether or not the player actually getsgame media in an amount in accordance with the amount of stored gamemedia. Therefore, the player may be glued on the craps game.

This makes the craps game more exciting.

Further, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention,the amount in accordance with the amount of game media betted in each ofthe gaming machines is accumulated in association with that gamingmachine. Then, the bet amount for craps game is determined with respectto each of the gaming machines, based on the accumulated bet amountcorresponding to the amount of game media thus accumulated for each ofthe gaming machines.

Accordingly, the player can bet a larger amount of game media toincrease the bet amount for craps game in the gaming machine on which heor she plays a game. As a result, a situation may be produced where heor she may get a larger amount of game media. Accordingly, it ispossible to encourage the player to bet more game media.

In addition, the player having betted a larger amount of game media mayhave a stronger expectation for the good result that he or she desiresin the craps game. Therefore, such players may be absorbed in the crapsgame.

Further, it is possible to give the players the competition with regardto the amount of game media that may be provided in the craps game.Accordingly, it is possible to provide the player who has received alarger amount of game media in the craps game with a strong satisfactionand a sense of superiority.

According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the amountof game media to be betted on the craps game is determined even whengame media has not been betted.

Namely, the player can enjoy the craps game without further consuminggame media. Accordingly, the player may be greatly satisfied with anoccurrence of the craps game. In addition, since the player needs not tomake an operation for placing a bet on the craps game, the player isallowed to concentrate on the craps game.

Fifth Embodiment

In a fifth embodiment, the inventions of (31) to (35) are described.

In the following, the same reference numerals are given to thecomponents identical to the components of the gaming system 300according to any of the above embodiments.

Descriptions are omitted for parts in the fifth embodiment to whichdescriptions in any of the above embodiments are applicable.

First, the outline of the fifth embodiment is described with referenceto FIG. 38.

FIG. 38A and FIG. 38B are views illustrating an exemplary imagedisplayed on the middle image display device included in the gamingmachine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

A character image 5320 shown in FIG. 38A notifies the player that he orshe can participate in a craps game by placing an additional bet.

In the first embodiment, any of the gaming machines 1 with theindividual bet amount equal to or more than the setting amount forparticipation is selected as a gaming machine participating in the crapsgame, and any of the gaming machines 1 with the individual bet amountless than the setting amount for participation cannot participate in thecraps game (see FIG. 21).

In contrast, in the fifth embodiment, even a gaming machine 1 with theindividual bet amount less than the setting amount for participation canparticipate in the craps game by placing an additional bet.

“The individual bet amount equal to or more than the setting amount forparticipation” corresponds to the specific condition in the presentinvention.

When an input for placing an additional bet is made in the gamingmachine 1, the gaming machine 1 is selected as a gaming machineparticipating in the craps game, and a craps game start image 5340 isdisplayed on the lower image display panel 141 provided in the gamingmachine 1 (FIG. 38B).

In the fifth embodiment, the player can input an additional bet bypressing the 1-bet button 34 or the maximum bet button 35. Each of the1-bet button 34 and the maximum bet button 35 corresponds to the inputdevice in the present invention.

Hereinbefore, the fifth embodiment has been summarized with reference toFIG. 38.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment is described in detail.

Next, with reference to FIG. 39A and FIG. 39B, participatingdetermination processing (see step S259 of FIG. 18) is described.

FIG. 39A is a view illustrating a flowchart of the participationdetermination processing executed by the external control deviceaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

First, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the individual betamount corresponding to each of the gaming machines other than theshooter gaming machine is equal to or more than the setting amount forparticipation (step S5301).

When determining that the individual bet amount corresponding to each ofthe gaming machines other than the shooter gaming machine is not equalto or more than the setting amount for participation, the main CPU 241transmits an additional bet request signal to the gaming machine 1determined as not having the individual bet amount equal to or more thanthe setting amount for participation (step S5303).

Here, the additional bet request signal includes the additional betamount information showing the difference between the setting amount forparticipation and the individual bet amount of the gaming machine 1 asthe transmission source of the additional bet request signal.

Next, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not it has received theadditional bet signal from the gaming machine 1 to which the main CPU241 has transmitted the additional bet request signal (step S5304). Whenthe main CPU 241 determines that it has not received the additional betsignal, the main CPU 241 transmits a non-participant appointment signalto the gaming machine 1 from which the main CPU 241 has not received theadditional bet signal (step S5305).

When the main CPU 241 determines in step S5301 that the individual betamount corresponding to each of the gaming machines other than theshooter gaming machine is equal to or more than the setting amount forparticipation, or when the main CPU 241 determines in step S5304 that ithas received the additional bet signal from the gaming machine 1 towhich the main CPU 241 has transmitted the additional bet requestsignal, the main CPU 241 transmits a non-shooter appointment signal tothe gaming machine 1 from which the main CPU 241 has received theadditional bet signal or to the gaming machine 1 with the correspondingindividual bet amount of equal to or more than the setting amount forparticipation (step S5302).

After executing step S5302 or step S5305, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine.

According to FIG. 39A, an additional bet request signal is alwaystransmitted to the gaming machine 1 determined as not having theindividual bet amount equal to or more than the setting amount forparticipation. However, the additional bet request signal does not needto be always transmitted, and may be transmitted only when apredetermined condition is satisfied. With reference to FIG. 39B, theparticipation determination processing (see step S259 of FIG. 18) isdescribed in which the additional bet request signal is transmitted tothe gaming machine 1 with the corresponding individual bet amount lessthan the setting amount for participation only when the number of gamingmachines 1 with the corresponding individual bet amount equal to or morethan the setting amount for participation is less than a predeterminednumber.

FIG. 39B is a view illustrating a flowchart of participationdetermination processing executed by the external control deviceaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

First, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S5291 to stepS5292. The processing is the same as the processing of step S291 to stepS292 described with reference to FIG. 21, and thus the descriptionsthereof are omitted here.

When determining in step S5291 that the individual bet amountcorresponding to each of the gaming machines other than the shootergaming machine is not equal to or more than the setting amount forparticipation, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not there are thepredetermined number or more gaming machines 1 with the individual betamount equal to or more than the setting amount for participation (stepS5293).

When determining that there are the predetermined number or more gamingmachines 1 with the individual bet amount equal to or more than thesetting amount for participation, the main CPU 241 transmits anon-participant appointment signal to the gaming machine 1 determined asnot having the individual bet amount equal to or more than the settingamount for participation (step S5297).

On the other hand, when determining that there are the predeterminednumber or more gaming machines 1 with the individual bet amount equal toor more than the setting amount for participation, the main CPU 241transmits an additional bet request signal to the gaming machine 1determined as not having the individual bet amount equal to or more thanthe setting amount for participation (step S5294). Here, the additionalbet request signal includes the additional bet amount informationshowing the difference between the setting amount for participation andthe individual bet amount of the gaming machine 1 as the transmissionsource of the additional bet request signal.

Next, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not it has received theadditional bet signal from the gaming machine 1 to which the main CPU241 has transmitted the additional bet request signal (step S5295). Whenthe main CPU 241 determines that it has not received the additional betsignal, the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S5297.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 241 determines that it has receivedthe additional bet signal, the main CPU 241 executes the processing oftransmitting a non-shooter appointment signal to the gaming machine 1 asthe transmission source of the additional bet signal (step S5296).

After executing step S5292, step S5296, or step S5297, the main CPU 241ends the present subroutine.

Next, craps-game occurrence signal reception processing is describedwith reference to FIG. 40.

FIG. 40 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the craps-game occurrencesignal reception processing executed by the gaming machine according tothe fifth embodiment of the present invention.

First, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has received thecraps-game occurrence signal (see step S258 of FIG. 18) from theexternal control device 200 (step S5551). When the main CPU 71determines that it has not received the craps-game occurrence signal,the main CPU 71 ends the present subroutine.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that it has receivedthe craps-game occurrence signal, the main CPU 71 determines whether ornot it has received the additional bet request signal (see step S5294 ofFIG. 39) (step S5555).

When the main CPU 71 determines that it has not received the additionalbet request signal, the main CPU 71 shifts the processing to step S5552.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that it has receivedthe additional bet request signal, the main CPU 71 determines whether ornot an input for an additional bet is made (step S5556). In this step,the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has received the signaltransmitted upon pressing of the 1-bet button 34 or the signaltransmitted upon pressing of the maximum bet button 35.

When determining that the input for an additional bet is not made, themain CPU 71 shifts the processing to step S5552.

On the other hand, when determining that the input for an additional betis made, the main CPU 71 subtracts the value corresponding to the amountindicated by the additional bet amount information included in theadditional bet request signal from the value stored in theamount-of-credit storage area provided in the RAM 73. Then, the main CPU71 transmits the additional bet signal to the external control device200 (step S5557). When determining that the value corresponding to theamount indicated by the additional bet amount information included inthe additional bet request signal is larger than the value stored in theamount-of-credit storage area provided in the RAM 73, the main CPU 71shifts the processing to step S5552.

Thereafter, the main CPU 71 executes the processing of step S5552 tostep S5554. The processing is the same as the processing of step S552 tostep S554 described with reference to FIG. 29, and thus the descriptionsthereof are omitted here.

In the above, the fifth embodiment has been described with reference toFIG. 38 to FIG. 40.

In the present embodiment, both the normal bet and the additional betcan be placed via the input devices of the 1-bet button 34 and themaximum bet button 35. However, the normal-bet input device and theadditional-bet input device may be different input devices in thepresent invention.

For example, an additional bet button as the additional-bet input devicemay be provided separately from the normal-bet button.

Alternatively, a touch panel may be adopted as the input device for anadditional bet. For example, an additional bet may be placed by touchingthe touch panel on the place corresponding to the character “YES”illustrated in FIG. 38A.

Further, in the present embodiment, game media in an amountcorresponding to the difference amount between the individual bet amountand the setting amount for participation is placed as an additional bet.However, in the present invention, the amount of game media to be placedas an additional bet is not limited to this example. For example, theamount of game media to be placed as an additional bet may be largerthan the amount corresponding to the difference amount between theindividual bet amount and the setting amount for participation (that is,the amount may be double the difference amount between the individualbet amount and the setting amount for participation, for example).

In the present embodiment, the player cannot select the amount of gamemedia to be placed as an additional bet. However, a desired amount ofgame media may be inputted as an additional bet via the input device. Inthis case, it is preferable that only the gaming machine with thelargest amount of game media as an additional bet, among the gamingmachines at which an additional bet has been placed, can participate inthe common game. This is because such a configuration encourages theplayer to bet a larger amount of game media as an additional bet.

In the present embodiment, the specific condition is that “theindividual bet amount is equal to or more than the setting amount forparticipation”. However, the specific condition in the present inventionis not limited to this example. The specific conditions in the presentinvention may be that “the individual bet amount ranks in the top N”, orthat “the cumulative number of games, cumulatively counted every time agame is executed, is equal to or more than a prescribed number”, forexample.

According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, thecondition for participation in the craps game is that the total amountof the betted game media (individual bet amount) is equal to or morethan the predetermined amount (setting amount for participation).

It is highly possible that the individual bet amount has not reached thesetting amount for participation in the gaming machine on which a gameis played only for a short time. Such a gaming machine is less likely tosatisfy the condition for participation in the craps game. In thisregard, according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, evena player playing a game only for short time can participate in the crapsgame by placing an additional bet. Accordingly, the player can startplaying a game any time he or she wants.

According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, a conditionthat the individual bet amount in any of the gaming machines has reachedthe event triggering amount is employed as the condition for craps gameoccurrence. The event triggering amount is larger than the settingamount for participation.

Namely, according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, thegaming machine having the largest individual bet amount triggers anoccurrence of the craps game. The player on the gaming machine havingthe individual bet amount that has reached the setting amount forparticipation is allowed to participate in the craps game without anadditional bet, while the player on the gaming machine having theindividual bet amount that is smaller than the setting amount forparticipation needs to place an additional bet to participate in thecraps game.

Accordingly, an occurrence of the craps game, approval to participate inthe craps game, and a need to place an additional bet are determinedbased on the individual bet amount. Therefore, it is possible to givethe players a competition with regard to the amount of the individualbet amount, resulting in a more exciting game.

According to the fifth embodiment of the invention, only when the numberof gaming machines satisfying the condition for participation in thecraps game is equal to or smaller than the predetermined number, theplayer on the gaming machine not satisfying the condition forparticipation in the craps game is allowed to participate in the crapsgame by placing the additional bet.

Accordingly, when the number of gaming machines satisfying the conditionfor participation in the craps game is larger than the predeterminednumber, the player on the gaming machine not satisfying the conditionfor participation in the craps game cannot participate in the crapsgame. Therefore, it is possible to provide the player on the gamingmachine satisfying the condition for participation in the craps gamewith a sense of superiority.

On the other hand, a craps game is more exciting when a certain numberof people participate. Accordingly, when the number of gaming machinessatisfying the condition for participation in the craps game is equal toor smaller than the predetermined number, the additional bet toparticipate in the craps game is encouraged so that the number of gamingmachines participating in the craps game is increased. As a result, itis possible to provide an active craps game.

According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, whenparticipation in the craps game is enabled by an additional bet, theupper image display panel provided in the gaming machine displays thatan additional bet enables participation in the craps game, and theamount of game media required as the additional bet.

This allows the player to easily recognize the amount of game mediarequired for participation in the craps game. The player can decide ifthe player should place an additional bet based on the amount of gamemedia required as the additional bet in order to participate in thecraps game, or should not place an additional bet and refrains fromparticipating in the craps game.

Sixth Embodiment

In a sixth embodiment, the inventions of (36) to (41) are described.

In the following, the same reference numerals are given to thecomponents identical to the components of the gaming system 300according to any of the above embodiments.

Descriptions are omitted for parts in the sixth embodiment to whichdescriptions in any of the above embodiments are applicable.

First, the outline of the sixth embodiment is described with referenceto FIG. 41.

FIG. 41 is a conceptual view for explaining the outline of the presentembodiment.

FIG. 41A is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on thelower image display panel 141 provided in the gaming machine 1.

FIG. 41A illustrates a state where a mode select image 6001 isdisplayed.

As illustrated in FIG. 41A, a mode selection button image 6001 includesan easy-mode selection button image 6210 and a professional-modeselection button image 6220.

In this manner, the common game (craps game) according to the presentembodiment has the easy mode and the professional mode.

In the easy mode, only a bet of the auto bet amount is placed in thecraps game. As described above, the auto bet amount is determined inaccordance with the individual bet amount and set for the pass line betin the gaming machine participating in the craps game.

On the other hand, in the professional mode, the player can place a betof a bet amount different from the auto bet amount in the craps game.

Each of the easy mode and the professional mode correspond to the modeof the common game in the inventions of (36) to (41).

Here, the easy mode corresponds to the first mode in the inventions of(36) to (41). The professional mode corresponds to the second mode inthe inventions of (36) to (41). Also, the pass line bet corresponds tothe predetermined bet target in the inventions of (36) to (41).

FIG. 41B is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on thelower image display panel 141 provided in the gaming machine 1.

FIG. 41B shows the state where the easy-mode determination image 6002 isdisplayed.

The easy-mode determination image 6002 of FIG. 41B illustrates a statewhere the easy mode has been selected.

FIG. 41C is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on thelower image display panel 141 provided in the gaming machine 1.

FIG. 41C illustrates a state where the professional-mode determinationimage 6003 is displayed.

The professional-mode determination image 6003 of FIG. 41C illustrates astate where the professional mode has been selected.

FIG. 41D is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on thelower image display panel 141 provided in the gaming machine 1.

FIG. 41D illustrates a state where the professional-mode bet input image6004 is displayed on the lower image display panel 141 provided in thegaming machine 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 41D, the professional-mode bet input image 6004includes betting method selection images 6250 (come bet selection image6250 a, place bet selection image 6250 b, and field bet selection image6250 c).

Here, how to bet in the craps game is described. Examples of the bettingmethods in the craps game, other than the pass line bet, include thecome bet, the place bet, and the field bet.

For example, the field bet is a betting method of betting on an outcomeof 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12 when the shooter rolls dice. The field betcan be placed on the outcome of each roll of dice.

As illustrated in FIG. 41D, the player can select a “betting method suchas the come bet, the place bet, and the field bet”, i.e., a “differentbetting method from the pass line bet” when the professional mode isselected.

Note that the “different betting method from the pass line bet” (bettingmethod such as the come bet, the place bet, and the field bet)corresponds to the specific bet target in (36) to (41).

In the present embodiment, the player can place a field bet of 200 (seeFIG. 41D) in the following way. The player touches with a fingertip thetouch panel 114 on the position corresponding to the position of a betamount selection button image 6270 c displayed on the lower imagedisplay panel 141, and moves his or her fingertip from the position onthe touch panel 114, corresponding to the position of the bet amountselection button image 6270 c, to the position on the touch panel 114corresponding to the position of the field bet selection images 6250 cwhile touching the touch panel 114.

An image 6005 of FIG. 41D illustrates a state where a field bet coinimage 6100 is displayed on the display area of the bet table image 901.That is, the image 6005 of FIG. 41D illustrates a state where 200 isbetted on the field bet.

FIG. 41E is a view illustrating an exemplary image displayed on thelower image display panel 141 provided in the gaming machine 1.

FIG. 41E also illustrates a state where the lower image display panel141 provided in the gaming machine 1 displays a field bet winning image6010 showing that the field bet is won and that a prize is to be paidout for the winning of the field bet.

Here, “the field bet is won” or “winning of field bet” means that “a bethas been placed on the field bet (e.g., 200 has been bet) and theoutcome of the dice roll by the shooter (the outcome displayed by thedice images 905) is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12”. Further, as illustratedin the field bet winning image 6010 of FIG. 41E, a prize for winning ofthe field bet is paid out when the field bet is won.

Hereinbefore, the sixth embodiment has been summarized with reference toFIG. 41A to FIG. 41E.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment is further described in detail.

<Bet Amount Information Reception Processing>

With reference to FIG. 42, the bet amount information receptionprocessing (see step S51 of FIG. 10) is described which is executed bythe external control device 200 according to the sixth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 42 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the bet amount informationreception processing executed by the external control device 200.

First, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S6001 to stepS6009. The processing is the same as the processing of step S251 to stepS259 of FIG. 18, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After executing the processing of step S6009, the main CPU 241 executesmode selection processing (step S6010). The mode selection processingwill be described later with reference to FIG. 43.

Next, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S6011 to stepS6012. The processing is the same as the processing of step S260 to stepS261 of FIG. 18, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After executing the processing of step S6012, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine.

As above, with reference to FIG. 42, the bet amount informationreception processing has been described which is executed by theexternal control device 200 according to the sixth embodiment of thepresent invention.

<Mode Selection Processing>

With reference to FIG. 43, the mode selection processing is describedwhich is executed by the external control device 200 according to thesixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the mode selectionprocessing executed by the external control device 200.

First, the main CPU 241 transmits a mode selection signal to eachparticipating gaming machine (step S6701).

When receiving the mode selection signal, each participating gamingmachine displays the mode selection image for selection of the easy modeor the professional mode on the lower image display panel 141 providedtherein (see FIG. 41A, and step S6201 to step S6202 of FIG. 46).

Next, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not it has received aneasy-mode selection signal or a professional mode selection signal fromevery participating gaming machine (step S6702). Here, the easy-modeselection signal is transmitted from the gaming machine 1 when theplayer inputs a command to select the easy mode (see FIG. 41B and stepS6209 of FIG. 46). Further, the professional mode selection signal istransmitted from the gaming machine 1 when the player inputs a commandto select the professional mode (see FIG. 41C and step S6205 of FIG.46).

When the main CPU 241 determines that it has not received the easy-modeselection signal or the professional-mode selection signal from everyparticipating gaming machine, the main CPU 241 returns the processing tostep S6702.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 241 determines that it has receivedthe easy-mode selection signal or the professional-mode selection signalfrom every participating gaming machine, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine.

When receiving the easy-mode selection signal, the main CPU 241determines that the gaming machine 1 as the transmission source of theeasy-mode selection signal is an easy-mode-selecting gaming machine.Further, when receiving the professional-mode selection signal, the mainCPU 241 determines that the gaming machine 1 as the transmission sourceof the professional-mode selection signal is aprofessional-mode-selecting gaming machine.

With reference to FIG. 43, the mode selection processing has beendescribed which executed by the external control device 200 according tothe sixth embodiment of the present invention.

<Shooter Appointment Signal Reception Processing>

With reference to FIG. 44, shooter appointment signal receptionprocessing executed by the gaming machine 1 according to the sixthembodiment of the present invention is described.

FIG. 44 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the shooter appointmentsignal reception processing executed by the gaming machine 1.

Next, the main CPU 71 executes the processing of step S6101. Theprocessing is the same as the processing of step S501 of FIG. 27, andthus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After the processing of step S6101, the main CPU 71 executes modeselection processing (step S6102).

The mode selection processing will be described later with reference toFIG. 46.

Next, the main CPU 71 executes the processing of step S6103. Theprocessing is the same as the processing of step S502 of FIG. 27, andthus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After step S6103, the main CPU 71 ends the present subroutine.

In the above, with reference to FIG. 44, the shooter appointment signalreception processing has been described which is executed by the gamingmachine 1 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

<Craps Game Occurrence Signal Reception Processing>

With reference to FIG. 45, the craps game occurrence signal receptionprocessing is described which is executed by the gaming machine 1according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a view of craps-game occurrence signal reception processingexecuted by the gaming machine 1.

The main CPU 71 executes the processing of step S6151 to step S6152 andstep S6154 to step S6155. The processing is the same as the processingof step S551 to step S552 and step S553 to step S554 of FIG. 29, andthus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Accordingly, only step S6153 is described here.

In step S6153, the main CPU 71 executes the mode selection processing.

The mode selection processing will be described later with reference toFIG. 46.

In the above, with reference to FIG. 45, the craps game occurrencesignal reception processing has been described which is executed by thegaming machine 1 according to the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention.

<Mode Selection Processing>

With reference to FIG. 46, the mode selection processing is describedwhich is executed by the gaming machine 1 according to the sixthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the mode selectionprocessing executed by the gaming machine 1.

First, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has received themode selection signal (step S6201). The mode selection signal istransmitted from the external control device 200 (step S6701 of FIG.43).

When the main CPU 71 determines that it has not received the modeselection signal, the main CPU 71 returns the processing to step S6201.On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that it has receivedthe mode selection signal, the main CPU 71 executes the processing ofdisplaying the mode selection image 6001 on the lower image displaypanel 141 (step S6202). The mode selection image 6001 has already beendescribed with reference to FIG. 41A.

After the processing of step S6202, the main CPU 71 determines whetheror not it has received the professional-mode selection command signalfrom the touch panel 114 (step S6203). In the present embodiment, thetouch panel 114 transmits the professional-mode selection command signalto the main CPU 71 when the player touches the touch panel 114 on theposition corresponding to the position of the professional-modeselection button image 6220 displayed on the lower image display panel141 (see FIG. 41C).

When the main CPU 71 determines that it has not received theprofessional-mode selection command signal, the main CPU 71 shifts theprocessing to step S6206. On the other hand, when the main CPU 71determines that it has received the professional-mode selection commandsignal, the main CPU 71 sets a professional-mode flag (step S6204).

After the processing of step S6204, the main CPU 71 transmits theprofessional-mode selection signal to the external control device 200(step S6205).

After the processing of step S6205, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

In step S6206, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has receivedthe easy-mode selection command signal from the touch panel 114 (stepS6206). In the present embodiment, the touch panel 114 transmits theeasy-mode selection command signal to the main CPU 71 when the playertouches the touch panel 114 on the position corresponding to theposition of the easy-mode selection button image 6210 displayed on thelower image display panel 141 (see FIG. 41B).

When the main CPU 71 determines that it has received the easy-modeselection command signal, the main CPU 71 shifts the processing to stepS6208. On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that it hasnot received the easy-mode selection command signal, the main CPU 71shifts the processing to step S6207.

In step S6207, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not predeterminedtime has elapsed since execution of the processing of step S6202. Whendetermining that predetermined time has not elapsed, the main CPU 71shifts the processing to step S6203. On the other hand, when determiningthat predetermined time has elapsed, the main CPU 71 shifts theprocessing to step S6208.

In step S6208, the main CPU 71 sets the easy-mode flag.

After the processing of step S6208, the main CPU 71 transmits theeasy-mode selection signal to the external control device 200 (stepS6209).

After the processing of step S6209, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

With reference to FIG. 46, the mode selection processing has beendescribed which is executed by the gaming machine 1 according to thesixth embodiment of the present invention.

<Craps Game-Related Processing>

With reference to FIG. 47, the craps game-related processing (see stepS502 of FIG. 27 and step S553 of FIG. 29) is described which is executedby the gaming machine 1 according to the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 47 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the craps game-relatedprocessing executed by the gaming machine 1.

The main CPU 71 executes the processing of step S6301 to step S6303. Theprocessing is the same as the processing of step S521 to step S523 ofFIG. 28, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After the processing of step S6303, the main CPU 71 executesprofessional-mode bet input processing (step S6304). Theprofessional-mode bet input processing will be described later withreference to FIG. 48.

Next, the main CPU 71 executes the processing of step S6305 to stepS6308. The processing is the same as the processing of step S524 to stepS527 of FIG. 28, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In step S6309, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not theprofessional-mode flag is set. The professional-mode flag is set in theprocessing of step S6204 described with reference to FIG. 46.

When determining that the professional-mode flag is not set, the mainCPU 71 shifts the processing to step S6311. On the other hand, whendetermining that the professional-mode flag is set, the main CPU 71shifts the processing to step S6310.

In step S6310, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has receiveda signal showing the professional-mode game result. Here, the signalshowing the professional-mode game result is transmitted from theexternal control device 200 (see step S6458 of FIG. 49).

The professional-mode game result is determined by the external controldevice 200 (see step 6457 of FIG. 49). Determination of theprofessional-mode game result is described later in step S6457 of FIG.49.

When the main CPU 71 determines that it has not received the signalshowing the professional-mode game result, the main CPU 71 returns theprocessing to step S6310. On the other hand, when the main CPU 71determines that it has received the signal showing the professional-modegame result, the main CPU 71 shifts the processing to step S6311.

Next, the main CPU 71 executes the processing of step S6311 to stepS6314. The processing is the same as the processing of step S528 to stepS531 of FIG. 28, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After the processing of step S6314, the main CPU 71 executes payoutprocessing based on the easy mode (step S6315). In this processing, themain CPU 71 adds the amount of payout indicated by the amount-of-payoutinformation received from the external control device 200 in step S6313,to the value stored in the amount-of-credit storage area provided in theRAM 73.

After the processing of step S6315, the main CPU 71 executes the payoutprocessing based on the professional mode (step S6316). In thisprocessing, the main CPU 71 adds the amount of payout corresponding tothe professional-mode game result received from the external controldevice 200 in step S6310, to the value stored in the amount-of-creditstorage area provided in the RAM 73.

After the processing of step S6316, the main CPU 71 shifts theprocessing to step S6304.

When the main CPU 71 determines in step S6311 that it has not receivedthe winning signal from the external control device 200, the main CPU 71shifts the processing to step S6317.

The main CPU 71 executes the processing of step S6317 to step S6318. Theprocessing is the same as the processing of step S533 to step S534 ofFIG. 28, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After the processing of step S6318, the main CPU 71 executes the payoutprocessing based on the professional mode (step S6319). In thisprocessing, the main CPU 71 adds the amount of payout corresponding tothe professional-mode game result received from the external controldevice 200 in step S6310, to the value stored in the amount-of-creditstorage area provided in the RAM 73.

After the processing of step S6319, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

When the main CPU 71 determines in step S6317 that it has not receivedthe loss signal from the external control device 200, the main CPU 71shifts the processing to step S6320.

The main CPU 71 executes the processing of step S6320 to step S6321. Theprocessing is the same as the processing of step S535 to step S536 ofFIG. 28, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After the processing of step S6321, the main CPU 71 executes the payoutprocessing based on the professional mode (step S6322). In thisprocessing, the main CPU 71 adds the amount of payout corresponding tothe professional-mode game result received from the external controldevice 200 in step S6320, to the value stored in the amount-of-creditstorage area provided in the RAM 73.

After the processing of step S6322, the main CPU 71 shifts theprocessing to step S6304.

In the above, with reference to FIG. 47, the craps game-relatedprocessing has been described which is executed by the gaming machine 1according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

<Input Processing of Professional-Mode Bet>

With reference to FIG. 48, the bet input processing of professional-modebet (see step S6304 of FIG. 47) is described which is executed by thegaming machine 1 according to the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 48 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the input processing ofprofessional-mode bet executed by the gaming machine 1.

The main CPU 71 determines whether or not the professional-mode flag isset (step S6721). The professional-mode flag is set in the processing ofstep S6204 described with reference to FIG. 46.

When determining that the professional-mode flag is not set, the mainCPU 71 ends the present subroutine. On the other hand, when determiningthat the professional-mode flag is set, the main CPU 71 shifts theprocessing to step S6722.

In step S6722, the main CPU 71 executes the processing of displaying aninput image of professional-mode bet on the lower image display panel141.

In the present embodiment, the professional-mode bet input image 6004 isdisplayed on the lower image display panel 141 (see FIG. 41D).

Next, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has received theprofessional-mode bet command signal from the touch panel 114 (stepS6723)

Here, the professional-mode bet command signal is transmitted from thetouch panel 114 to the main CPU 71 (see FIG. 41D) for example in thefollowing case. That is, the player “touches with a fingertip the touchpanel 114 on the position corresponding to the position of the betamount selection button image 6270 c displayed on the lower imagedisplay panel 141, and moves his or her fingertip to the position(position A) on the touch panel 114 corresponding to the position of thefield bet selection image 6250 c while touching the touch panel 114”.Then, the player “removes his or her fingertip from the touch panel 114at the position A”. In this example, the professional-mode bet commandsignal includes information showing the bet amount (200) correspondingto the bet amount selection button image 6270 c (hereinafter, alsoreferred to as 200-bet command information) and information showing thebetting method (field bet) corresponding to the field bet selectionimage 6250 c (hereinafter, also referred to as field bet commandinformation).

Hereinafter, the information showing the bet amount is also referred toas bet amount command information. Further, the information showing thebetting method is also referred to as betting method commandinformation.

The bet amount command information in the present embodiment includesinformation showing the bet amount (10) corresponding to the bet amountselection button image 6270 a (hereinafter also referred to as 10-betcommand information), information showing the bet amount (50)corresponding to the bet amount selection button image 6270 b(hereinafter also referred to as 50-bet command information), andinformation showing the bet amount (200) corresponding to the bet amountselection button image 6270 c (hereinafter also referred to as 200-betcommand information).

Further, the betting method command information in the presentembodiment includes information showing the betting method (come bet)corresponding to the come bet selection image 6250 a (hereinafter alsoreferred to as come-bet command information), information showing thebetting method (place bet) corresponding to the place bet selectionimage 6250 b (hereinafter also referred to as place-bet commandinformation), and information showing the betting method (field bet)corresponding to the field-bet selection image 6250 c (hereinafter alsoreferred to as field-bet command information).

When the main CPU 71 determines in step S6723 that it has received theprofessional-mode bet command signal, the main CPU 71 shifts theprocessing to step S6725.

When the bet amount command information included in theprocessional-mode bet command signal is 10-bet command information inthe processing, the main CPU 71 adds 10 to the value stored in the betamount storage area provided in the RAM 73, and subtracts 10 from thevalue stored in the amount-of-credit storage area. In this manner, whenthe professional-mode bet command signal is received in the processing,the main CPU 71 makes addition to the value stored in the bet amountstorage area provided in the RAM 73, and makes subtraction from thevalue stored in the amount-of-credit storage area.

When the main CPU 71 determines instep S6723 that it has not receivedthe professional-mode bet command signal, the main CPU 71 shifts theprocessing to step S6724.

In step S6724, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not predeterminedtime has elapsed since execution of the processing of step S6722. Whendetermining that predetermined time has not elapsed, the main CPU 71shifts the processing to step S6723. On the other hand, when determiningthat predetermined time has elapsed, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

In step S6725, the main CPU 71 transmits the professional-mode betinformation to the external control device 200.

Here, the professional-mode bet information includes information shownby the professional-mode bet command signal that the main CPU 71 hasreceived from the touch panel 114 in step S6723. For example, when theprofessional-mode bet command signal received by the main CPU 71 in stepS6723 includes the 200-bet command information and the field bet commandinformation, the professional-mode bet information transmitted to theexternal control device 200 in step S6725 includes the informationshowing that the bet amount is 200 and that the betting method is thefield bet.

After the processing of step S6725, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

In the above, with reference to FIG. 48, the professional-mode bet inputprocessing has been described which is executed by the gaming machine 1according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

<Craps Game Execution Processing>

With reference to FIG. 49, the craps game execution processing (see stepS260 of FIG. 18) is described which is executed by the external controldevice 200 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 49 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the craps game executionprocessing executed by the external control device 200.

The main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S6451 to step S6453.The processing is the same as the processing of step S301 to step S303of FIG. 22A, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After the processing of step S6453, the main CPU 241 receives theprofessional-mode bet information from the gaming machine (step S6454).The professional-mode bet information is information transmitted fromthe professional-mode-selecting gaming machine (see the step S6725 ofFIG. 48).

Next, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S6455 to stepS6456. The processing is the same as the processing of step S304 to stepS305 of FIG. 22A, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After the processing of step S6456, the main CPU 241 determines theprofessional-mode game result based on the game program stored in theROM 242 and the random value for craps game extracted in step S6456, foreach gaming machine as the transmission source of the professional-modebet information (step S6457). The game program is a program fordetermining the result of a craps game based on the craps game rules.

Here, the case is described in which the main CPU 241 determines theprofessional-mode game result for each gaming machine as a transmissionsource of “professional-mode bet information showing that the main CPU71 has received the professional-mode command signal including 200-betcommand information and field-bet command information from the externalcontrol device 200 (see step S6723 of FIG. 48)”.

In the processing, the outcome of the roll of dice is determined basedon the random value for craps game extracted in step S6456. If thedetermined outcome is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12, the professional-modegame result is winning of the field bet.

The professional-mode game result corresponds to the result of a commongame in the inventions of (36) to (41).

Next, the main CPU 241 transmits the professional-mode game resultdetermined in step S6457, to each gaming machine as the transmissionsource of the professional-mode bet information (step S6458).

Next, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S6459. Theprocessing is the same as the processing of step S306 of FIG. 22A, andthus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In the above, with reference to FIG. 49, the craps game executionprocessing has been described which is executed by the external controldevice 200 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

<Auto-Bet Amount Determination Processing>

With reference to FIG. 50, the auto-bet amount determination processing(see step S301 of FIG. 22A) is described which is executed by theexternal control device 200 according to the sixth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 50 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the auto-bet amountdetermination processing executed by the external control device 200.

The main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S6501 to step S6502.The processing is the same as the processing of step S341 to step S342of FIG. 23, and thus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After executing the processing of step S6502, the main CPU 241 executesdetermination processing of distribution amount in each mode (stepS6503). The determination processing of distribution amount in each modewill be described later with reference to FIG. 51A.

Next, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S6514. Theprocessing is the same as the processing of step S343 of FIG. 23, andthus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Next, the main CPU 241 calculates the special bet amount for shooter,based on the degree of contribution calculated in step S6504 (stepS6505). As described in step S344 of FIG. 23, the special bet amount forshooter refers to the bet amount specially set only for the shootergaming machine.

Here, with reference to FIG. 51B, calculation of the special bet amountfor shooter is described.

In the example shown in FIG. 51B, the degree of contributioncorresponding to the gaming machine allocated with the terminal number002 is 100%. The professional-mode distribution amount corresponding tothe gaming machine allocated with the terminal number 002 is 16000.

In this example, the amount calculated by multiplying theprofessional-mode distribution amount (16000) by the degree ofcontribution (100%), i.e., 16000, is calculated as the special betamount for shooter. In this manner, if the shooter gaming machine is aprofessional-mode-selecting gaming machine in the present embodiment,the special bet amount for shooter can be determined by multiplying theprofessional-mode distribution amount determined in step S6603 of FIG.51A by the degree of contribution calculated in step S6504.

On the other hand, if the shooter gaming machine is aneasy-mode-selecting gaming machine, the special bet amount for shootercan be determined by multiplying the easy-mode distribution amountdetermined in step S6604 of FIG. 51A by the degree of contributioncalculated in step S6504 (see FIG. 51B).

The professional-mode distribution amount and the easy-mode distributionamount will be described later with reference to FIG. 51A.

Next, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S6506. Theprocessing is the same as the processing of step S345 of FIG. 23, andthus the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

After executing the processing of step S6506, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine.

As above, with reference to FIG. 50, the auto-bet amount determinationprocessing has been described which is executed by the external controldevice 200 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

<Determination Processing of Distribution Amount in Each Mode>

With reference to FIG. 51A, the determination processing of distributionamount in each mode is described which is executed by the externalcontrol device 200 according to the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 51A is a view illustrating determination processing of distributionamount in each mode executed by the external control device 200.

The main CPU 241 determines the number of gaming machines determined asthe professional-mode-selecting gaming machine in step S6702 of FIG. 43(step S6601).

Next, the main CPU 241 determines a professional-mode distribution rate(step S6602). In the present embodiment, the value resulting fromdividing the number of professional-mode-selecting gaming machines bythe number of participating gaming machines is determined as aprofessional-mode distribution rate.

Here, the professional-mode distribution rate is described withreference to FIG. 51B.

In the example shown in FIG. 51B, the professional-mode-selecting gamingmachines are allocated with the terminal numbers 001 and 002. Theparticipating gaming machines are of the terminal numbers 001 to 005. Inthis case, the number of professional-mode selecting gaming machines is2. The number of participating gaming machines is 5. Therefore, theprofessional-mode distribution rate in this case is the value resultingfrom dividing 2 by 5, that is, 0.4.

After the processing of step S6602, the main CPU 241 determines aprofessional-mode distribution amount (step S6603). In the presentembodiment, the amount resulting from multiplying the total bonus amountby the professional-mode distribution rate determined in step S6602 isdetermined as the professional-mode distribution amount.

Here, the professional-mode distribution amount is described withreference to FIG. 51B.

In the example shown in FIG. 51B, the total bonus amount is 40000.Therefore, the professional-mode distribution amount in this case is theamount resulting from multiplying 40000 by the professional-modedistribution rate 0.4, that is, 16000.

After the processing of step S6603, the main CPU 241 determines aneasy-mode distribution amount (step S6604). In the present embodiment,the amount resulting from subtracting the professional-mode distributionamount from the total bonus amount determined in step S6603 isdetermined as an easy-mode distribution amount.

Here, the easy-mode distribution amount is described with reference toFIG. 51B.

In the example shown in FIG. 51B, the total bonus amount is 40000.Accordingly, the easy-mode distribution amount in this case is theamount resulting from subtracting the professional-mode distributionamount 16000 from 40000, that is, 24000.

After the processing of step S6604, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

As above, with reference to FIG. 51A, the determination processing ofdistribution amount in each mode has been described which is executed bythe external control device 200 according to the sixth embodiment of thepresent invention.

In the above, one example of the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention has been described with reference to FIG. 41 to FIG. 51. Inthis example, the minimum number of participants is not set for eachmode in the processing (c) in the inventions of (37) and (40).

However, the processing (c) in the inventions of (37) and (40) is notlimited to this example. That is, the minimum number of participants maybe set for each mode in the processing (c) in the inventions of (37) and(40).

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 52A and FIG. 52B, the example willbe described in which the minimum number of participants is set for eachmode of the common game.

<Mode Selection Processing>

With reference to FIG. 52A, the mode selection processing is describedwhich is executed by the external control device 200 according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 52A is a view illustrating a flowchart of the mode selectionprocessing executed by the external control device 200.

First, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the number N ofparticipating gaming machines is equal to or more than a predeterminednumber (step S6051). When determining that the number N of participatinggaming machines is equal to or more than the predetermined number, themain CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S6052. On the other hand,when determining that the number N of participating gaming machines isnot equal to or more than the predetermined number, the main CPU 241transmits an easy-mode forcing signal to the participating gamingmachines (step S6066). In this processing, the main CPU 241 determinesthat the participating gaming machine as the transmission destination ofthe easy-mode forcing signal is an easy-mode-selecting gaming machine.

When the gaming machine 1 has received the easy-mode forcing signal, themain CPU 71 of the gaming machine 1 sets an easy-mode flag (see stepS6760 to step S6761 of FIG. 52B).

After the processing of step S6066, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

In step S6052, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of setting themode selection order M to 1 in the RAM 243. The mode selection order Mis a value which associates the transmission order of a mode selectionsignal with the order of the individual bet amount. The mode selectionorder M is described in detail with reference to step S6053.

Next, the main CPU 241 transmits the mode selection signal to theparticipating gaming machine corresponding to the M^(th) largestindividual bet amount (step S6053). For example, when the mode selectionorder M is set to 1, the mode selection signal is transmitted to theparticipating gaming machine with the largest individual bet amount.Then, 1 is added to the mode selection order M (see step S6059 and thestep S6065). As a result of addition of 1 to the mode selection order M(=1), the mode selection order M is set to 2. Subsequently, the modeselection signal is transmitted to the participating gaming machine withthe second largest individual bet amount (step S6033). In this way, thetransmission order of the mode selection signal and the order ofindividual bet amount are associated in the present embodiment.

When the participating gaming machines receive the mode selectionsignal, the lower image display panel 141 of each of the participatinggaming machine displays the mode selection image for selecting the easymode or the professional mode (see FIG. 41A and step S6201 to step S6202of FIG. 46).

Next, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not it has received theprofessional-mode selection signal (step S6054). The professional-modeselection signal is transmitted from the gaming machine 1 when theplayer makes a command to select the professional mode (see FIG. 41C andstep S6205 of FIG. 46).

When the main CPU 241 determines that it has not received theprofessional-mode selection signal, the main CPU 241 shifts theprocessing to step S6060.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 241 determines that it has receivedthe professional-mode selection signal, the mail CPU 241 shifts theprocessing to step S6055. Note that the main CPU 241 determines that thegaming machine 1 as the transmission source of the professional-modeselection signal is a professional-mode-selecting gaming machine, whenthe main CPU 241 determines that it has received the professional-modeselection signal.

In step S6055, the main CPU 241 adds 1 to the number N_(P) ofprofessional-mode-selecting gaming machines in the RAM 243.

Next, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not a number resulting fromsubtracting the number N_(P) of professional-mode-selecting gamingmachines from the number N of participating gaming machines is equal tothe a minimum number L of participants (step S6056). The minimum numberL of participants is the lower limit of the number of gaming machineswhich participate in one mode. In the present embodiment, the easy modeor the professional mode is also referred to simply as a mode.

In the present embodiment, the minimum number L of participants is 3.That is, in the present embodiment, the lower limit of the number ofgaming machines participating in one mode is set to 3.

When determining that the number resulting from subtracting the numberN_(P) of professional-mode-selecting gaming machines from the number Nof participating gaming machines is equal to the minimum number L ofparticipants, the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S6057. Onthe other hand, when determining that the number resulting fromsubtracting the number N_(P) of professional-mode-selecting gamingmachines from the number N of participating gaming machines is not equalto the minimum number L of participants, the main CPU 241 shifts theprocessing to step S6058.

In step S6058, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the modeselection order M and the number N of participating gaming machines areequal. When determining that the mode selection order M and the number Nof participating gaming machines are equal, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine. On the other hand, when determining that the modeselection order M and the number N of participating gaming machines arenot equal, the main CPU 241 adds 1 to the mode selection order M (stepS6059).

After the processing of step S6059, the main CPU 241 shifts theprocessing to step S6053.

In step S6057, the main CPU 241 transmits the easy-mode forcing signalto a no-mode-selecting gaming machine.

In the present embodiment, the no-mode-selecting gaming machine is aparticipating gaming machine which is not determined as neither theprofessional-mode-selecting gaming machine nor the easy-mode selectinggaming machine. In the processing, the main CPU 241 determines that theno-mode-selecting gaming machine as the transmission destination of theeasy-mode forcing signal is an easy-mode-selecting gaming machine.

After the processing of step S6057, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

In step S6060, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not it hasreceived the easy-mode selection signal. The easy-mode selection signalis transmitted from the gaming machine 1 when the player makes a commandto select the easy mode (see FIG. 41B and step S6209 of FIG. 46).

When the main CPU 241 determines that it has not received the easy-modeselection signal, the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S6054.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 241 determines that it has receivedthe easy-mode selection signal, the main CPU 241 shifts the processingto step S6061. Note that the main CPU 241 determines that the gamingmachine 1 as the transmission source of the easy-mode selection signalis an easy-mode-selecting gaming machine, when the main CPU 241determines that it has received the easy-mode selection signal.

In step S6061, the main CPU 241 adds 1 to the number N_(E) of easy-modeselecting gaming machines in the RAM 243.

Next, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not a number resulting fromsubtracting the number N_(E) of easy-mode-selecting gaming machines fromthe number N of participating gaming machines is equal to the a minimumnumber L of participants (step S60152).

When determining that the number resulting from subtracting the numberN_(E) of easy-mode-selecting gaming machines from the number N ofparticipating gaming machines is equal to the minimum number L ofparticipants, the main CPU 241 shifts the processing to step S6063. Onthe other hand, when determining that the number resulting fromsubtracting the number N_(E) of easy-mode-selecting gaming machines fromthe number N of participating gaming machines is not equal to theminimum number L of participants, the main CPU 241 shifts the processingto step S6064.

In step S6064, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the modeselection order M and the number N of participating gaming machines areequal. When determining that the mode selection order M and the number Nof participating gaming machines are equal, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine. On the other hand, when determining that the modeselection order M and the number N of participating gaming machines arenot equal, the main CPU 241 adds 1 to the mode selection order M (stepS6065).

After the processing of step S6065, the main CPU 241 shifts theprocessing to step S6053.

In step S6063, the main CPU 241 transmits the professional-mode forcingsignal to each no-mode-selecting gaming machine. In the processing, themain CPU 241 determines that the no-mode-selecting gaming machine as thetransmission destination of the professional-mode forcing signal is aprofessional-mode-selecting gaming machine.

When the gaming machine 1 has received the professional-mode forcingsignal, the main CPU 71 of the gaming machine 1 sets a professional-modeflag (see step S6762 to step S6763 of FIG. 52B).

After the processing of step S6063, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

With reference to FIG. 52A, the mode selection processing has beendescribed which is executed by the external control device 200 accordingto the another embodiment of the present invention.

<Mode Selection Processing>

Now, with reference to FIG. 52B, the mode selection processing isdescribed which is executed by the gaming machine 1 according to theanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 52B is a view illustrating a flowchart of the mode selectionprocessing executed by the gaming machine 1.

First, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has received themode selection signal (step S6751). The mode selection signal is asignal transmitted from the external control device 200 (step S6053 ofFIG. 52A).

When the main CPU 71 determines that it has not received the modeselection signal, the main CPU 71 shifts the processing to step S6760.On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that it has receivedthe mode selection signal, the main CPU 71 executes the processing ofdisplaying the mode selection image 6001 on the lower image displaypanel 141 (step S6752). The mode selection image 6001 has already beendescribed with reference to FIG. 41A.

After the processing of step S6752, the main CPU 71 determines whetheror not it has received the professional-mode selection command signalfrom the touch panel 114 (step S6753). In the present embodiment, whenthe player touches the touch panel 114 on the position corresponding tothe position of the professional-mode selection button image 6220displayed on the lower image display panel 141, the touch panel 114transmits a professional-mode selection command signal to the main CPU71 (see FIG. 41C).

When the main CPU 71 determines that it has not received theprofessional-mode selection command signal, the main CPU 71 shifts theprocessing to step S6756. On the other hand, when the main CPU 71determines that it has received the professional-mode selection commandsignal, the main CPU 71 sets a professional-mode flag (step S6754).

After the processing of step S6754, the main CPU 71 transmits theprofessional-mode selection signal to the external control device 200(step S6755).

After the processing of step S6755, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

In step S6756, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has receivedthe easy-mode selection command signal from the touch panel 114. In thepresent embodiment, when the player touches the touch panel 114 on theposition corresponding to the position of the easy-mode selection buttonimage 6210 displayed on the lower image display panel 141, the touchpanel 114 transmits an easy-mode selection command signal to the mainCPU 71 (see FIG. 41B).

When the main CPU 71 determines that it has received the easy-modeselection command signal, the main CPU 71 shifts the processing to stepS6758. On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that it hasnot received the easy-mode selection command signal, the main CPU 71shifts the processing to step S6757.

In step S6757, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not predeterminedtime has elapsed since execution of the processing of step S6752. Whendetermining that predetermined time has not elapsed, the main CPU 71shifts the processing to step S6753. On the other hand, when determiningthat predetermined time has elapsed, the main CPU 71 shifts theprocessing to step S6758.

In step S6758, the main CPU 71 sets the easy-mode flag.

After the processing of step S6758, the main CPU 71 transmits theeasy-mode selection signal to the external control device 200 (stepS6759).

After the processing of step S6759, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

In step S6760, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has receivedthe easy-mode forcing signal. The easy-mode forcing signal istransmitted from the external control device 200 (see step S6057 andstep S6066 of FIG. 52A).

When the main CPU 71 determines that it has not received the easy-modeforcing signal, the main CPU 71 shifts the processing to step S6762. Onthe other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that it has received theeasy-mode forcing signal, the main CPU 71 sets an easy-mode flag (stepS6761).

After the processing of step S6761, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

In step S6762, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has receiveda professional-mode forcing signal. The professional-mode forcing signalis transmitted from the external control device 200 (step S6063 of FIG.52A).

When the main CPU 71 determines that it has not received theprofessional-mode forcing signal, the main CPU 71 shifts the processingto step S6751. On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines thatit has received the professional-mode forcing signal, the main CPU 71sets a professional-mode flag (step S6763).

After the processing of step S6763, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

With reference to FIG. 52B, the mode selection processing has beendescribed which is executed by the gaming machine 1 according to theanother embodiment of the present invention.

In the above, an example of the present invention have been describedwith reference to FIG. 41 to FIG. 52B. In this example, the bettingmethod and the bet amount are selected by the player at the same timingin the processing (b-1) in (39) (see FIG. 41D and step S6723 of FIG.48). However, the processing (b-1) in (39) is not limited to this case.That is, the betting method and the bet amount may be selected by theplayer at different timings in the processing (b-1) in (39).

In the following, a case will be described in which the betting methodand the bet amount are selected by the player at different timings, withreference to FIG. 52C.

<Professional-Mode Bet Input Processing>

With reference to FIG. 52C, the professional-mode bet input processing(see step S6304 of FIG. 47) is described which is executed by the gamingmachine 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 52C is a view illustrating the professional-mode bet inputprocessing executed by the gaming machine 1.

The main CPU 71 determines whether or not the professional-mode flag isset (step S6401). The professional-mode flag is set in the processing ofstep S6754 or step S6763 described with reference to FIG. 52B.

When determining that the professional-mode flag is not set, the mainCPU 71 ends the present subroutine. On the other hand, when determiningthat the professional-mode flag is set, the main CPU 71 shifts theprocessing to step S6402.

In step S6402, the main CPU 71 executes the processing of displaying theprofessional-mode bet input image on the lower image display panel 141.In the present embodiment, the professional-mode bet input image 6004 isdisplayed as the professional-mode bet input image on the lower imagedisplay panel 141 (see FIG. 410).

Next, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has received thebetting method command information from the touch panel 114 (stepS6403).

In the present embodiment, when the player touches the touch panel 114on the position corresponding to the position of the field bet selectionimage 6250 c displayed on the lower image display panel 141, the touchpanel 114 transmits the betting method command information correspondingto the field bet selection image 6250 c to the main CPU 71 (see FIG.41D).

The betting method command information in the present embodimentincludes information showing the betting method (come bet) correspondingto the come bet selection image 6250 a (hereinafter also referred to ascome-bet command information), information showing the betting method(place bet) corresponding to the place bet selection image 6250 b(hereinafter also referred to as place-bet command information), andinformation showing the betting method (field bet) corresponding to thefield-bet selection image 6250 c (hereinafter also referred to asfield-bet command information).

When the main CPU 71 determines instep S6403 that it has received thebetting method command information, the main CPU 71 sets a receptioncompletion flag for the betting method command information and shiftsthe processing to step S6406. In the present embodiment, the receptioncompletion flag for the betting method command information includes areception completion flag for the come-bet command information, areception completion flag for the place-bet command information, and areception completion flag for the field-bet command information.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that it has notreceived the betting method command information, the main CPU 71 shiftsthe processing to step S6404.

In step S6404, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not predeterminedtime has elapsed since execution of the processing of step S6402. Whendetermining that predetermined time has not elapsed, the main CPU 71shifts the processing to step S6403. On the other hand, when determiningthat predetermined time has elapsed, the main CPU 71 sets a receptioncompletion flag for the field-bet command information and shifts theprocessing to step S6406.

In step S6406, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not it has receivedthe bet amount command information from the touch panel 114 (stepS6406).

In the present embodiment, when the player touches the touch panel 114on the position corresponding to the position of the bet amountselection button 6270 c displayed on the lower image display panel 141,the touch panel 114 transmits information showing the bet amount (200)corresponding to the bet amount selection button image 6270 c to themain CPU 71 (see FIG. 41F).

The bet amount command information in the present embodiment includesinformation showing the bet amount (10) corresponding to the bet amountselection button image 6270 a (hereinafter also referred to as 10-betcommand information), information showing the bet amount (50)corresponding to the bet amount selection button image 6270 b(hereinafter also referred to as 50-bet command information), andinformation showing the bet amount (200) corresponding to the bet amountselection button image 6270 c (hereinafter also referred to as 200-betcommand information).

When the main CPU 71 determines in step S6406 that it has received thebet amount command information, the main CPU 71 sets the receptioncompletion flag for the bet amount command information and shifts theprocessing to step S6409. In the present embodiment, the receptioncompletion flag for the bet amount command information includes areception completion flag for the 10-bet command information, areception completion flag for the 50-bet command information, and areception completion flag for the 200-bet command information.

When the reception completion flag for the 10-bet command information isset in the processing, the main CPU 71 adds 10 to the value stored inthe bet amount storage area provided in the RAM 73, and subtracts 10from the value stored in the amount-of-credit storage area. In thismanner, when the reception completion flag for the bet amount commandinformation is set in the processing, the main CPU 71 makes addition tothe value stored in the bet amount storage area provided in the RAM 73,and makes subtraction from the value stored in the amount-of-creditstorage area.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that it has notreceived the bet amount command information, the main CPU 71 shifts theprocessing to step S6407.

In step S6407, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not predeterminedtime has elapsed since setting the reception completion flag for thebetting method command information in step S6403 or step S6405. Whendetermining that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the main CPU 71shifts the processing to step S6406.

On the other hand, when determining that the predetermined time haselapsed, the main CPU 71 sets the reception completion flag for the200-bet command information (step S6408). After the processing of stepS6407, the main CPU 71 shifts the processing to step S6409.

In step S6409, the main CPU 71 transmits the professional-mode betinformation to the external control device 200.

The professional-mode bet information includes information showing thereception completion flag for the betting method command informationhaving been set in step S6403 or step S6405. For example, when thereception completion flag for the field-bet command information is setin step S6403 or step S6405, the professional-mode bet informationincludes the information showing that the reception completion flag forthe field-bet command information has been set.

The professional-mode bet information also includes information showingthe reception completion flag for the bet amount command informationhaving been set in step S6406 or step S6408. For example, when thereception completion flag for the 200-bet command information is set instep S6404 or step S6408, the professional-mode bet information includesthe information showing that the reception completion flag for the200-bet command information has been set.

After the processing of step S6409, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

With reference to FIG. 52C, the professional-mode bet input processinghas been described which is executed by the gaming machine 1 accordingto the other embodiment of the present invention.

In the above, the sixth embodiment has been described with reference toFIG. 41 to FIG. 52.

In the present embodiment, the mode of the common game in the inventionsof (36) to (41) includes two modes, namely the easy mode and theprofessional mode. However, the number of the modes of the common gamein the inventions of (36) to (41) is not limited to two. That is, themodes of the common game in the inventions of (36) to (41) may include athird mode different from the easy mode and the professional mode.

In the present embodiment, the specific bet target in the inventions of(36) to (41) is a “different betting method from the pass line bet”(betting methods such as the come bet, the place bet, and the fieldbet). However, the specific bet target in the inventions of (36) to (41)is not limited to this example. That is, the specific bet target in (36)to (41) may be a betting method increasing the bet amount set for thepass line bet (a betting method called an odds bet).

Further, in the present embodiment, only the field bet is made in theprocessing (b) in the inventions of (36) to (40) and in the step (b) ofthe invention of (41). However, both the field bet and the come bet maybe made for one roll of dice in the processing (b) in the inventions of(36) to (40) and the step (b) in the invention of (41). That is, a betmay be placed on multiple specific bet targets for one roll of dice inthe processing (b) in the inventions of (36) to (40) and the step (b) inthe invention of (41).

In the present embodiment, the touch panel 114 is adopted as the inputdevice for selecting the easy mode or the professional mode, and as theinput device for making a bet on the come bet, the place bet, the fieldbet, or the like in the professional mode. The input device (inputdevice in the invention of (37)) for selecting the mode of the commongame, and the input device (input device in the invention of (39)) forplacing a bet in the common game may be the same input device asdescribed above, or may be different input devices.

The input device is not limited to a touch panel, and known inputdevices such as a button, for example, may be suitably adopted. Forexample, a bet may be placed in the common game by operating a betbutton for placing a bet in the normal game (for example, slot game).

In the present embodiment, the mode of the common game is determinedaccording to the operation of the touch panel 114 provided in eachparticipating gaming machine by the player. However, in the inventionsof (36) to (41), the mode of the common game may be determined in allthe participating gaming machines when the player operates the touchpanel 114 provided in one participating gaming machine.

Further, the mode of the common game may be determined in eachparticipating gaming machine according to the extracted random value.

In the present embodiment, an input for selecting the mode of the commongame is accepted in the order from the gaming machine 1 with the largestindividual bet amount to the gaming machine 1 with the N^(th) largestindividual bet amount (see FIG. 52A).

When an input for selecting the mode of the common game is accepted inthe order from the gaming machine 1 with the largest individual betamount to the gaming machine 1 with the N^(th) largest individual betamount in the invention of (40), the following configuration ispreferably adopted.

That is, as described in the present embodiment, the minimum number ofparticipants is preferably set for each mode of the common game.

In this case, a player with a larger accumulated bet amount has a higherpossibility of selecting a mode that he or she desires. This may offer adeeper sense of superiority and satisfaction to the player, andencourage the player, wishing to select the mode he or she desires, tobet a larger amount of game media.

According to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, when thecraps game is in the professional mode, a payout in the craps game isdetermined based on both the bet on the pass line bet and the bet on adifferent betting method from the pass line bet (a betting method suchas the come bet, the place bet, the field bet, or an any craps bet).Accordingly, the player is allowed to be interested in the result of thecraps game. As a result, the player may be absorbed in the craps game.

According to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a bet by thepass line bet is determined even without a bet of game media, when thecraps game is in the easy mode. Namely, the player needs not to make anoperation for placing a bet on the craps game, and therefore, the playeris allowed to be concentrated on the craps game.

On the other hand, the player needs to select a bet target to bet out ofa plurality of bet targets (such as the come bet, the place bet, thefield bet, or the any craps bet), when the craps game is in theprofessional mode. Accordingly, the player can play a more challengingcraps game.

As above described, it is possible to provide the players with a moreamusing game by varying the bet in the craps game.

According to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the amountin accordance with the amount of game media betted in each of the gamingmachines is accumulated in association with that gaming machine. Theinput for selecting the mode of the craps game is accepted based on theindividual bet amount corresponding to the amount of game mediaaccumulated in each of the gaming machines.

The input for selecting the mode of the craps game may be sequentiallyaccepted in an order starting from the gaming machine with the largestaccumulated bet amount.

Accordingly, the player having betted a larger amount of game media maybe provided with a chance to select the mode of the craps gamepreferentially. This provides the player with a sense of superiority. Inaddition, it is possible to encourage the player who wants to select themode of the craps game to bet more game media.

According to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, when theplayer needs to select the mode of the craps game, the lower imagedisplay panel provided in the gaming machine displays an image forselecting the mode. When the professional mode is selected, the lowerimage display panel displays an image for selecting a bet target to betout of multiple bet targets (such as the come bet, the place bet, or thefield bet). The lower image display panel is provided with the touchpanel, and the player can select the mode of the craps game and the bettarget by touching the button image included in the displayed image.Thereby, the player can easily select the mode of the craps game and thebet target, and therefore can greatly enjoy the game.

Seventh Embodiment

In a seventh embodiment, the inventions of (42) to (48) are described.

In the following, the same reference numerals are given to thecomponents identical to the components of the gaming system 300according to any of the above embodiments.

Descriptions are omitted for parts in the fourth embodiment to whichdescriptions in any of the above embodiments are applicable.

The lower image display panel 141 notifies the accumulated bet situationand the timeout situation in the seventh embodiment.

The accumulated bet situation indicates the contrast between theindividual bet amount in each gaming machine 1 and the setting amountfor participation.

In the present embodiment, as described in the first embodiment, thegaming machine 1 with the individual bet amount being equal to or morethan the setting amount for participation is selected as the gamingmachine 1 participating in the common game when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied.

The accumulated bet situation indicates the relation between the currentindividual bet amount and the setting amount for participation.

The timeout situation shows predetermined time from the predeterminedmeasuring start time.

In the present embodiment, whether or not a game is played on the gamingmachine 1 (whether or not the number of credits is 0) is determined at apredetermined timing after the individual bet amount has reached thesetting amount for participation. When determination is made that a gameis not played continuously for predetermined time, the gaming machine 1loses the qualification for participating in the common game. In thefollowing, the gaming machine 1's loss of the qualification forparticipating in the common game is also referred to as timeout.

The timeout situation indicates the time left before timeout.

First, the outline of the seventh embodiment is described with referenceto FIG. 53.

FIG. 53A to FIG. 353B are views illustrating an exemplary imagedisplayed on the lower image display panel included in the gamingmachine according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 53A is a view showing an individual bet amount situation displayimage 7421.

The individual bet amount situation display image 7421 displayed on thelower image display panel 141 notifies the player of the accumulated betsituation.

The individual bet amount situation display image 7421 consists of sixregions which constitute a pie chart.

When the individual bet amount is 0, the individual bet amount situationdisplay image 7421 shows the regions all in white. As the individual betamount is accumulated, the number of the meshed regions in theindividual bet amount situation display image 7421 is increased. Whenthe individual bet amount reaches the setting amount for participation,the individual bet amount situation display image 7421 shows the regionsall in the mesh pattern.

FIG. 53B is a view illustrating a timeout level display image 7422.

The timeout level display image 7422 displayed on the lower imagedisplay panel 141 notifies the player of a timeout situation.

The timeout level display image 7422 consists of 15 regions which serveas scales.

When determination is made that the number of accumulated credits in thegaming machine 1 is not 0, the timeout level display image 7422 showsall the regions in the mesh pattern. On the other hand, when the numberof accumulated credits remains to be 0 for a while, the timeout leveldisplay image 7422 shows more regions in white as a certain period oftime elapses. When predetermined time elapses with the number of creditsremaining to be 0, the timeout level display image 7422 shows all theregions in white. At this time, a display image 7423 of the loss ofcommon game participation qualification, which notifies that the playercannot participate in the next craps game, is then displayed instead ofthe individual bet amount situation display image 7421.

With the individual bet amount situation display image 7422, the playercan determine the individual bet amount in comparison with the settingamount for participation.

With the timeout level display image 7422, the player can determine howmuch time is left before timeout.

In the above, the seventh embodiment has been summarized with referenceto FIG. 53.

Next, individual bet amount display processing is described withreference to FIG. 54.

FIG. 54 is a view illustrating the flowchart of the individual betamount display processing executed by the external control deviceaccording to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

First, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the individual betamount associated with each of the gaming machines 1 is equal to or morethan the amount resulting from multiplying the setting amount forparticipation by ⅙, based on the setting amount for participation datastored in the ROM 242 (the memory device in the invention of (43)), andthe individual bet amount data for each gaming machine stored in the RAM243 (the memory device in the invention of (42)) (step S7332).

When determining that the individual bet amount is less than the amountresulting from multiplying the setting amount for participation by ⅙,the main CPU 241 displays an empty image on the gaming machine 1associated with the individual bet amount (step S7303). In thisprocessing, the main CPU 241 transmits an empty image display signal tothe gaming machine 1. On receiving the empty image display signal, themain CPU 71 displays an empty image on the lower image display panel 141using the empty image data stored in the ROM 72.

The empty image shows all the six regions constituting the individualbet amount situation display image 7421 in white.

After executing the processing of step S7303, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine.

When determining that the individual bet amount is equal to or more thanthe amount resulting from multiplying the setting amount forparticipation by ⅙, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not thisindividual bet amount is equal to or more than the amount resulting frommultiplying the setting amount for participation by ⅓ (step S7304).

When determining that the individual bet amount is less than the amountresulting from multiplying the setting amount for participation by ⅓,the main CPU 241 displays a ⅙ image on the gaming machine 1 associatedwith the individual bet amount (step S7305). In this processing, themain CPU 241 transmits a ⅙ image display signal to the gaming machine 1.On receiving the ⅙ image display signal, the main CPU 71 displays the ⅙image on the lower image display panel 141 using ⅙ image data stored inthe ROM 72.

The ⅙ image shows one of the six regions constituting the individual betamount situation display image 7421 in the meshed pattern and shows theremaining five regions in white.

After executing the processing of step S7305, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine.

When determining that the individual bet amount is equal to or more thanthe amount resulting from multiplying the setting amount forparticipation by ⅓, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not thisindividual bet amount is equal to or more than the amount resulting frommultiplying the setting amount for participation by ½ (step S7306).

When determining that the individual bet amount is less than the amountresulting from multiplying the setting amount for participation by ½,the main CPU 241 displays a 2/6 image on the gaming machine 1 associatedwith the individual bet amount (step S7307). In this processing, themain CPU 241 transmits a 2/6 image display signal to the gaming machine1. On receiving the 2/6 image display signal, the main CPU 71 displaysthe 2/6 image on the lower image display panel 141 using 2/6 image datastored in the ROM 72.

The 2/6 image shows two of the six regions constituting the individualbet amount situation display image 7421 in the meshed pattern and showsthe remaining four regions in white.

After executing the processing of step S7307, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine.

When determining that the individual bet amount is equal to or more thanthe amount resulting from multiplying the setting amount forparticipation by ½, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not thisindividual bet amount is equal to or more than the amount resulting frommultiplying the setting amount for participation by ⅔ (step S7308). Whendetermining that the individual bet amount is less than the amountresulting from multiplying the setting amount for participation by ⅔,the main CPU 241 displays a 3/6 image on the gaming machine 1 associatedwith the individual bet amount (step S7309). In this processing, themain CPU 241 transmits a 3/6 image display signal to the gaming machine1. On receiving the 3/6 image display signal, the main CPU 71 displaysthe 3/6 image on the lower image display panel 141 using 3/6 image datastored in the ROM 72.

The 3/6 image shows three of the six regions constituting the individualbet amount situation display image 7421 in the meshed pattern and showsthe remaining three regions in white.

After executing the processing of step S7309, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine.

When determining that the individual bet amount is equal to or more thanthe amount resulting from multiplying the setting amount forparticipation by ⅔, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not thisindividual bet amount is equal to or more than the amount resulting frommultiplying the setting amount for participation by ⅚ (step S7310).

When determining that the individual bet amount is less than the amountresulting from multiplying the setting amount for participation by ⅚,the main CPU 241 displays a 4/6 image on the gaming machine 1 associatedwith the individual bet amount (step S7311). In this processing, themain CPU 241 transmits a 4/6 image display signal to the gaming machine1. On receiving the 4/6 image display signal, the main CPU 71 displaysthe 4/6 image on the lower image display panel 141 using 4/6 image datastored in the ROM 72.

The 4/6 image shows four of the six regions constituting the individualbet amount situation display image 7421 in the meshed pattern and showsthe remaining two regions in white.

After executing the processing of step S7311, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine.

When determining that the individual bet amount is equal to or more thanthe amount resulting from multiplying the setting amount forparticipation by ⅚, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not thisindividual bet amount is equal to or more than the setting amount forparticipation (step S7312).

When determining that the individual bet amount is less than the settingamount for participation, the main CPU 241 displays a ⅚ image on thegaming machine 1 associated with the individual bet amount (step S7313).In this processing, the main CPU 241 transmits a ⅚ image display signalto the gaming machine 1. On receiving the ⅚ image display signal, themain CPU 71 displays the ⅚ image on the lower image display panel 141using ⅚ image data stored in the ROM 72.

The ⅚ image shows five of the six regions constituting the individualbet amount situation display image 7421 in the meshed pattern and showsthe remaining one region in white.

After executing the processing of step S7313, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine.

When determining that the individual bet amount is equal to or more thanthe setting amount for participation, the main CPU 241 displays a fullimage on the gaming machine 1 associated with the individual bet amount(step S7314). In this processing, the main CPU 241 transmits a fullimage display signal to the gaming machine 1. On receiving the fullimage display signal, the main CPU 71 displays the full image on thelower image display panel 141 using full image data stored in the ROM72.

The full image shows six regions constituting the individual bet amountsituation display image 7421 in the meshed pattern.

After the processing of step S7314, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

Next, timeout display processing is described with reference to FIG. 55Aand FIG. 55B. The timeout display processing is repeatedly executed ineach gaming machine every minute. “Every minute” corresponds to “thepredetermined timing” in the inventions of (45), (46), and (48).

FIG. 55A is a view illustrating a flowchart of the timeout displayprocessing executed by the gaming machine according to the seventhembodiment of the present invention.

First, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the individual betamount is equal to or more than the setting amount for participation(step S7420). When determining that the individual bet amount is lessthan the setting amount for participation, the main CPU 71 ends thepresent subroutine.

On the other hand, when determining that the individual bet amount isequal to or more than the setting amount for participation, the main CPU71 determines whether or not the number of credits is 0 (step S7421). Inthis processing, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the valuestored in the amount-of-credit storage area provided in the RAM 73 is 0.

When determining that the number of credits is 0, the main CPU 71subtracts 1 from a timeout value T stored in a predetermined regionprovided in the RAM 73 (step S7422). In this processing, the main CPU 71stores again the value resulting from subtracting 1 from the timeoutvalue T into the predetermined region.

Next, the main CPU 71 displays a timeout level display image based onthe timeout value T (step S7423). In this processing, the main CPU 71displays in the meshed pattern the regions constituting the timeoutlevel display image 7422 in number according to the timeout value T. Forexample, when T=10, the timeout level display image 7422 shows 10regions in the meshed pattern and shows 5 regions in white.

Next, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not T is 0 (step S7424).When determining that T is not 0, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

On the other hand, when determining that T is 0, the main CPU 71 storesa timeout flag in the predetermined region provided in the RAM 73 (stepS7425).

Then, the main CPU 71 transmits a timeout signal to the external controldevice 200. When receiving the timeout signal, the main CPU 241 providedin the external control device 200 stores the timeout flag into the RAM243, in association with the gaming machine 1 as the transmission sourceof the timeout signal.

After executing the processing of step S7425, the main CPU 71 ends thepresent subroutine.

The processing that the main CPU 71 stores the timeout flag into the RAM73 and the processing that the main CPU 71 transmits the timeout signalto the external control device 200 constitute “a processing not toexecute a common game to be started” in the processing (b) of theinvention of (45).

On the other hand, when determining in step S7421 that the number ofcredits is not 0, the main CPU 71 sets timeout value T to 15 (stepS7426). In this processing, the main CPU 71 stores 15 in thepredetermined region provided in the RAM 73.

Next, the main CPU 71 displays a timeout level display image based onthe time out value T (step S7427). In this processing, the main CPU 71displays in the meshed pattern the regions constituting the timeoutlevel display image 7422 in number according to the timeout value T. Atthis time, T=15, and thus the timeout level display image 7422 having 15meshed regions is displayed.

Next, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the timeout flag isstored in the predetermined region provided in the RAM 73 (step S7428).When determining that the timeout flag is not stored, the main CPU 71ends the present subroutine.

On the other hand, when determining that the timeout flag is stored, themain CPU 71 clears the timeout flag (step S7429). The main CPU 71 thentransmits a timeout cancellation signal to the external control device200. When receiving the timeout cancellation signal, the main CPU 241provided in the external control device 200 clears the timeout flag inthe RAM 243, in association with the gaming machine 1 as thetransmitting source of the timeout cancellation signal.

After executing the processing of step S7429, the main CPU 71 ends thepresent subroutine.

According to the timeout display processing described with reference toFIG. 55A, addition to the credits after setting of the timeout flagleads to clearance of the timeout flag. The gaming machine 1 with thetimeout flag is set cannot participate in the craps game (this will bedescribed in detail later). That is, according to FIG. 55A, the timeoutflag is set if the number of credits remains to be 0 for predeterminedtime (15 minutes after the individual bet amount has reached the settingamount for participation), which disables the gaming machine 1 toparticipate in the craps game. However, addition to the number ofcredits after setting of the timeout flag leads to clearance of thetimeout flag, which enables again the gaming machine 1 to participate inthe craps game.

However, the timeout display processing does not need to be executed inthe above manner. For example, once a timeout flag is set, the gamingmachine 1 may be disabled to participate in the craps game regardless ofthe operation thereafter, as described below with reference to FIG. 55B.

FIG. 55B is a view illustrating a flowchart of the timeout displayprocessing executed by the gaming machine according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

First, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the timeout flag isstored in the predetermined region provided in the RAM 73 (step S7401).The timeout flag shows that the gaming machine 1 has lost thequalification for participating in the craps game. The timeout flag isdescribed later in more detail. When determining that the timeout flagis stored, the main CPU 71 ends the present subroutine.

On the other hand, when determining that the timeout flag is not stored,the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the individual bet amount isequal to or more than the setting amount for participation (step S7402).When determining that the individual bet amount is less than the settingamount for participation, the main CPU 71 ends the present subroutine.

On the other hand, when determining that the individual bet amount isequal to or more than the setting amount for participation, the main CPU71 determines whether or not the number of credits is 0 (step S7403). Inthis processing, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the valuestored in the amount-of-credit storage area provided in the RAM 73 is 0.

When determining that the number of credits is 0, the main CPU 71subtracts 1 from the timeout value T stored in the predetermined regionprovided in the RAM 73 (step S7404). In this processing, the main CPU 71stores again the value resulting from subtracting 1 from timeout value Tinto the predetermined region.

Next, the main CPU 71 displays a timeout level display image based onthe time out value T (step S7405). In this processing, the main CPU 71displays in the meshed pattern the regions constituting the timeoutlevel display image 7422 in number according to the timeout value T. Forexample, when T=10, the timeout level display image 7422 shows 10regions in the meshed pattern and shows 5 regions in white.

Next, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not T is 0 (step S7406).When determining that T is not 0, the main CPU 71 ends the presentsubroutine.

On the other hand, when determining that T is 0, the main CPU 71 storesthe timeout flag into the predetermined region provided in the RAM 73(step S7407).

The main CPU 71 then transmits a timeout signal to the external controldevice 200. When receiving the timeout signal, the main CPU 241 providedin the external control device 200 stores the timeout flag in the RAM243, in association with the gaming machine 1 as the transmitting sourceof the timeout signal.

After executing the processing of step S7407, the main CPU 71 ends thepresent subroutine.

On the other hand, when determining in step S7403 that the number ofcredits is not 0, the main CPU 71 sets the timeout value T to 15 (stepS7408). In this processing, the main CPU 71 stores 15 in thepredetermined region provided in the RAM 73.

Next, the main CPU 71 displays a timeout level display image based onthe timeout value T (step S7409). In this processing, the main CPU 71displays in the meshed pattern the regions constituting the timeoutlevel display image 7422 in number according to the timeout value T. Atthis time, T=15, and thus the timeout level display image 7422 shows 15regions in the meshed pattern.

After executing the processing of step S7409, the main CPU 71 ends thepresent subroutine.

According to the above timeout display processing, the maximum value forthe timeout value T is 15. When the number of credits remains to be 0for a while after the individual bet amount has reached the settingamount for participation in the gaming machine 1, the value of Tdecreases by one every minute. That is, when the number of creditsremains to be 0 for 15 minutes after the individual bet amount hasreached the setting amount for participation in the gaming machine 1,craps game will not be executed in the gaming machine 1. “For 15minutes” corresponds to “the predetermined time” in the inventions of(45), (46), and (48).

Next, participating determination processing is described with referenceto FIG. 56.

The participating determination processing is executed by the externalcontrol device 200 in order to select the gaming machine 1 participatingin the craps game, when execution of the craps game is determined (seestep S259 of FIG. 18).

FIG. 56 is a view illustrating a flowchart of the participationdetermination processing executed by the external control deviceaccording to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

First, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not the timeout flag isstored in the RAM 243 for every gaming machine 1 (step S7294).

Next, the main CPU 241 determines whether or not each individual betamount corresponding to gaming machines 1 other than the shooter gamingmachine, which have been determined as having the timeout flag notstored, is equal to or more than the setting amount for participation(step S7291).

Next, the main CPU 241 transmits a non shooter specification signal tothe gaming machine 1 determined as having the corresponding individualbet amount equal to or more than the setting amount for participation(step S7292).

After executing the processing of step S7292, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine.

On the other hand, the main CPU 241 transmits a non participantappointment signal to the gaming machine 1 determined in step S7294 ashaving the timeout flag stored and to the gaming machine 1 determined instep S7291 as having the individual bet amount less than the settingamount for participation (step S7293). No craps game is executed in thegaming machine 1 having received the non-participant appointment signal.When the gaming machine 1 receives the non-participant appointmentsignal, the main CPU 241 is to clear the timeout flag stored in the RAM243.

Next, the main CPU 241 clears the timeout flag stored in associationwith the gaming machine 1 to which the non-participant appointmentsignal has been transmitted in step S7293 (step S7295).

After executing the processing of step S7295, the main CPU 241 ends thepresent subroutine.

In the present embodiment, the individual bet amount is set to 0 after acraps game has been executed (see step S320 of FIG. 22B). However, theindividual bet amount does not need to be always 0. The setting amountfor participation may be subtracted from the individual bet amount, asdescribed below in detail with reference to FIG. 57A and FIG. 57B.

FIG. 57A and FIG. 57B are views illustrating a flowchart of the crapsgame processing executed by the external control device according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

First, the main CPU 241 executes the processing of step S7301 to stepS7319, and the processing of step S7321 to step S7328. The processing isthe same as the processing of step S301 to step S319 and step S321 tostep S328 described with reference to FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B, and thusthe descriptions thereof are omitted here.

The main CPU 241 subtracts setting amount for participation from theindividual bet amount shown by the individual bet amount data stored inthe individual bet amount storage area provided in the RAM 243 afterexecuting the processing of step S7319 or the processing of step S7323(step S7320). In this processing, the excess amount of the individualbet amount over the setting amount for participation after the end ofthe craps game in this processing is carried over to the next game. Thecarried-over individual bet amount is displayed in the individual betamount display processing (see FIG. 54).

After the processing of step S7320, the main CPU 241 ends the presentsubroutine.

In the above, the craps game execution processing executed by theexternal control device 200 has been described with reference to FIG.57A and FIG. 57B.

In the above, the seventh embodiment has been described with referenceto FIG. 53 to FIG. 57B.

In the present embodiment, the individual bet amount situation displayimage 7421 and the timeout level display image 7422 are separatelydisplayed on the lower image display panel 141 provided in the gamingmachine 1.

The lower image display panel 141 corresponds to the output device inthe inventions of (42) to (48).

The output device in the inventions of (42) to (48) is not limited toimage display devices such as the lower image display panel 141. Forexample, notification may be made to the player by sound via a speaker,or by an effect of light via lamps.

The output device in the inventions of (42) to (48) may be an outputdevice connected to the server. In this case, the individual bet amountsituation display images and the timeout level display imagescorresponding to all the gaming machines 1 can be displayed on a displaydevice such as the common display device.

In the present embodiment, the condition is adopted that “the individualbet amount is equal to or more than the setting amount forparticipation”. However, the common game participation condition in thepresent invention is not limited to this example. The common gameparticipation condition in the present invention may for example be that“the individual bet amount ranks in the top Nth”.

Further, in the present embodiment, the processing of comparing theindividual bet amount and the setting amount for participation in eachgaming machine 1 is executed by the external control device 200 (seeFIG. 54). However, in the present invention, the processing of comparingthe individual bet amount and the setting amount for participation ineach gaming machine 1 may be executed in each gaming machine 1.

Further, in the present embodiment, the memory device in the inventionsof (42) and (43) consists of memory devices of the ROM 242 and the RAM243. However, the memory device in the inventions of (42) and (43) mayconsist of one memory device.

In the present embodiment, the specific condition is that “theindividual bet amount is equal to or more than the setting amount forparticipation”. However, the specific condition in the present inventionis not limited to this example. The specific condition in the presentinvention may for example be that “the cumulative number of games,cumulatively counted every time a game is executed, is equal to or morethan a predetermined number”.

Further, in the present embodiment, whether or not the number of creditsis 0 is determined in order to determine whether or not a game isexecuted in the gaming machine 1. However, the processing (a) in theinvention of (45) is not limited to such processing. For example, thegaming machine may have a sensor capable of detecting existence of aplayer, and may adopt the processing (a) of “determining whether or nota detection signal is received which is outputted from the sensor upondetection of existence of a player”.

In the present embodiment, timeout occurs when determination is madethat the number of credits is 0 for a predetermined time (for 15minutes) after the individual bet amount has reached the setting amountfor participation. “When determination is made that the number ofcredits is 0 after the individual bet amount has reached the settingamount for participation” corresponds to the predetermined start-up timeof measuring in the invention of (45). However, the predeterminedstart-up time of measuring in the invention of (45) is not limited tothis example, and may be, for example, “when a predetermined condition(event triggering condition) is satisfied”.

According to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, acondition is employed that the individual bet amount is equal to or morethan the setting amount for participation, as the condition toparticipate in the craps game. The accumulated bet condition indicatesthe contrast between the individual bet amount at present and thesetting amount for participation.

This allows the player to know the amount of game media he or she needsto bet so that the individual bet amount in the gaming machine on whichhe or she plays a game reaches the setting amount for participation.

As a result, when the accumulated bet situation shows that the conditionto participate in the craps game is likely to be satisfied, the playercan reduce the amount of game media to bet. In contrast, when theaccumulated bet situation shows that the condition to participate in thecraps game is not likely to be satisfied, the player can increase theamount of game media to bet. Further, when the accumulated bet situationshows that the condition to participate in the craps game cannot besatisfied, the player can quit the game. As above, the player can selecthis or her next action in accordance with the accumulated bet situation.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the settingamount for participation is subtracted from the individual bet amountdetermined as being equal to or more than the setting amount forparticipation. Then, after the craps game, the amount corresponding tothe amount of the betted game media is added to the amount of game mediacorresponding to the individual bet amount after subtraction.

Namely, the balance of the individual bet amount and the setting amountfor participation is carried over to the next craps game. Then, theaccumulated bet situation is notified based on the carried-overindividual bet amount. Accordingly, when a large amount of game mediahave been betted such that the individual bet amount is in great excessof the setting amount for participation in a gaming machine, it ispossible to notify the player on that gaming machine of the state wherethe individual bet amount is still at a certain level even right afterthe craps game. As a result, it is possible to provide such a playerwith satisfaction and a sense of superiority.

In addition, it is possible to encourage the player playing a game onthe gaming machine in which the individual bet amount is sufficient evenright after the craps game, to continue playing the game. Consequently,it may reduce the case where the player stops playing a game withoutknowing that the sufficient individual bet amount is left, so that theplayer is allowed to enjoy a game with ease. On the other hand, when thecarried-over individual bet amount is not so much, it is possible togive a chance to quit the game to the player.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, when it isdetermined that the number of credits has been zero for a predeterminedtime period after measuring is started at a predetermined start-up timeof measuring, that gaming machine is not allowed to participate in thecraps game even it satisfies the condition to participate in the crapsgame. Namely, the gaming machine is ineligible to participate in thecraps game.

In this regard, according to the seventh embodiment of the presentinvention, the output device notifies the time elapsed from apredetermined start-up time of measuring until the predetermined timehas elapsed and it may give an index of the time in which the player canbe away from the gaming machine.

According to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, thecondition to participate in the craps game is that the individual betamount in the gaming machine is equal to or more than the setting amountfor participation. Accordingly, it is required to increase theindividual bet amount by playing games for a long time in order tosatisfy the specific condition.

In this regard, according to the seventh embodiment of the presentinvention, the output device notifies the time elapsed from apredetermined start-up time of measuring until the predetermined timehas elapsed to give an index of the time in which the player can be awayfrom the gaming machine. Accordingly, it may avoid the case where theplayer becomes ineligible to participate in the craps game while he orshe is making a pause, though the player has betted a large amount ofgame media for a long time. As a result, the player is allowed to playgames for a long time with ease.

Further, it may also prevent the case as described below. On the gamingmachine that has become available after the individual bet amount hadbeen stored to the extent satisfying the condition to participate in thecraps game, a player who has scarcely contributed to the individual betamount starts playing a game to get a profit provided in the craps game.Accordingly, it is possible to avoid giving a sense of unfairness to theplayer having played games for a long time, namely the player havingcontributed to the individual bet amount so much.

According to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, theaccumulated bet situation and the timeout situation are respectivelyshown by the pie chart of the individual bet amount situation displayimage and the scales of the timeout level display image. This allows aplayer to instinctively know the accumulated bet situation and thetimeout situation.

Although the embodiments of the present invention were described above,they were just illustrations of specific examples, and hence do notparticularly restrict the present invention. A specific configuration ofeach step and the like is appropriately changeable in terms of design.Further, the effects described in the embodiments of the presentinvention are just recitations of the most suitable effects generatedfrom the present invention. The effects of the present invention arethus not limited to those described in the embodiments of the presentinvention.

Further, the foregoing detailed descriptions centered the characteristicparts of the present invention in order to facilitate understanding ofthe present invention. The present invention is not limited to theembodiments in the foregoing specific descriptions but applicable toother embodiments with a variety of application ranges. Further, termsand phrases in the present specification were used not for restrictinginterpretation of the present invention but for precisely describing thepresent invention. It is considered easy for the skilled in the art toconceive other configurations, systems, methods and the like included inthe concept of the present invention from the concept of the inventiondescribed in the specification. Therefore, it should be considered thatrecitations of the claims include uniform configurations in a range notdeparting from the range of technical principles of the presentinvention. Moreover, an object of the abstract is to enable a patentoffice, a general public institution, an engineer belonging to thetechnical field who is unfamiliar with patent, technical jargon or legaljargon, and the like, to smoothly determine technical contents and anessence of the present application with simple investigation.Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to restrict the scope of theinvention which should be evaluated by recitations of the claims.Furthermore, for thorough understanding of an object of the presentinvention and an effect specific to the present invention, it is desiredto make interpretation in full consideration of documents alreadydisclosed and the like.

The foregoing detailed descriptions include processing executed on acomputer or a computer network. Explanations and expressions above aredescribed with the aim of being most efficiently understood by theskilled person in the art. In the specification, each step for use inderiving one result should be understood as the self-consistentprocessing. Further, in each step, transmission/reception, recording orthe like of an electrical or magnetic signal is performed. While such asignal is expressed by using a bit, a value, a symbol, a letter, a term,a number or the like in processing of each step, it should be noted thatthose are used simply for the sake of convenience in description. Whilethere are cases where processing in each step may be described using anexpression in common with that of action of a human, processingdescribed in the specification is essentially executed by a variety ofdevices. Further, another configuration requested for performing eachstep should become apparent from the above descriptions.

In DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT, the embodiment was divided into thefirst embodiment to the seventh embodiment. The configurations accordingto the respective embodiments can be combined so that it is possible toprovide a server, a gaming system, and a control method of the serverwhich are even more highly entertaining.

1. A server comprising a processor and a memory device provided with afirst storage area and a second storage area and being capable ofcommunicating with a gaming machine, the processor programmed to executethe processing of: (A) storing a data in accordance with an amount ofgame media betted in the gaming machine as a first resource data intothe first storage area provided in the memory device; (B) storing asecond resource data indicative of an amount of game media and beingdifferent from the first resource data, into the second storage areaprovided in the memory device; (C) providing game media to the gamingmachine when a predetermined condition is satisfied, based on the firstresource data stored in the first storage area, and reducing an amountof game media indicated by the first resource data stored in the firststorage area; (D) determining whether or not the amount of game mediaindicated by the first resource data stored in the first storage areahas been reduced in the processing (C) to a predetermined amount orless; and (E) providing game media to the gaming machine when thepredetermined condition is satisfied after determining in the processing(D) that the amount of game media has been reduced to the predeterminedamount or less, based on the second resource data stored in theprocessing (B) into the second storage area.
 2. The server according toclaim 1, wherein the processing (C) includes providing game media to thegaming machine in a common game to be executed when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied, based on the first resource data stored in thefirst storage area, and reducing the amount of game media indicated bythe first resource data stored in the first storage area, and theprocessing (E) includes providing game media to the gaming machine inthe common game, when the predetermined condition is satisfied afterdetermining in the processing (D) that the amount of game media has beenreduced to the predetermined amount or less, based on the secondresource data stored in the processing (B) into the second storage area.3. The server according to claim 1, wherein the processor is furtherprogrammed to execute the processing of (F) outputting an image or soundfor notifying a player only of the amount of game media indicated by thefirst resource data, out of the amounts of game media indicated by thefirst resource data and the amounts of game media indicated by thesecond resource data, from an output device connected to the server oran output device provided in the gaming machine, the processing (E)includes (E-1) outputting an image or sound for notifying the player ofthe amount of game media based on the second resource data stored in theprocessing (B) into the second storage area from the output deviceinstead of executing the processing (F), when determining in theprocessing (D) that the amount of game media has been reduced to thepredetermined amount or less, and (E-2) providing game media to thegaming machine when the predetermined condition is satisfied afterexecuting the processing (E-1), based on the second resource data storedin the processing (B) into the second storage area.
 4. A gaming systemcomprising: a plurality of gaming machines; a server including aprocessor and a memory device provided with a first storage area and asecond storage area; and a network enabling communication between thegaming machines and the server, the processor programmed to execute theprocessing of: (A) storing a data in accordance with an amount of gamemedia betted in each of the gaming machines as a first resource data,into the first storage area provided in the memory device; (B) storing asecond resource data indicative of an amount of game media and beingdifferent from the first resource data into the second storage areaprovided in the memory device; (C) providing game media to each of thegaming machines when a predetermined condition is satisfied, based onthe first resource data stored in the first storage area, and reducingan amount of game media indicated by the first resource data stored inthe first storage area; (D) determining whether or not the amount ofgame media indicated by the first resource data stored in the firststorage area has been reduced in the processing (C) to a predeterminedamount or less; and (E) providing game media to each of the gamingmachines when the predetermined condition is satisfied after determiningin the processing (D) that the amount of game media has been reduced tothe predetermined amount or less, based on the second resource datastored in the processing (B) into the second storage area.
 5. The gamingsystem according to claim 4, wherein each of the gaming machinescomprises an input device and a controller, the controller is programmedto execute the processing of: (a) accepting an input made with use ofthe input device for betting game media; and (b) transmitting betinformation indicative of an amount of the game media betted in theprocessing (a) to the processor, the processor is further programmed toexecute the processing of (F) receiving the bet information transmittedin the processing (b), and the processing (A) includes storing a dataindicative of an amount of game media obtained by adding a part of theamount of game media indicated by the bet information received in theprocessing (F) to the amount of game media indicated by the firstresource data stored in the first storage area provided in the memorydevice, as a new first resource data into the first storage area.
 6. Thegaming system according to claim 4, wherein each of the gaming machinescomprises an input device and a controller, the controller is programmedto execute the processing of: (a) accepting an input made with use ofthe input device for betting game media; (b) transmitting betinformation indicative of an amount of the game media betted in theprocessing (a) to the processor, the processor is further programmed toexecute the processing of (F) receiving the bet information transmittedin the processing (b), and the processing (B) includes storing a dataindicative of an amount of game media obtained by adding a part of theamount of game media indicated by the bet information received in theprocessing (F) to the amount of game media indicated by the secondresource data stored in the second storage area provided in the memorydevice, as a new second resource data into the second storage area. 7.The gaming system according to claim 5, wherein the processing (A)includes storing a data indicative of the amount of game media obtainedby adding a predetermined percentage of the amount of game mediaindicated by the bet information received in the processing (F) to theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data stored in thefirst storage area provided in the memory device, as a new firstresource data into the first storage area, and the processing (B)includes storing a data indicative of an amount of game media obtainedby adding a specific percentage, which is different from thepredetermined percentage, of the amount of game media indicated by thebet information received in the processing (F) to the amount of gamemedia indicated by the second resource data stored in the second storagearea provided in the memory device, as a new second resource data intothe second storage area.
 8. The gaming system according to claim 4,wherein each of the gaming machines comprises an input device and acontroller, the controller is programmed to execute the processing of:(a) accepting an input made with use of the input device for bettinggame media; and (b) transmitting bet information indicative of an amountof the game media betted in the processing (a) to the processor, theprocessor is further programmed to execute the processing of: (F)receiving the bet information transmitted in the processing (b); and (G)accumulating an amount in accordance with the amount of game mediaindicated by the bet information received in the processing (F), inassociation with a gaming machine as a transmission source of the betinformation, and the processing (C) includes providing game media toeach of the gaming machines when the predetermined condition issatisfied, in an amount corresponding to an accumulated bet amount inthe corresponding gaming machine among the accumulated bet amountscorresponding to the amounts of game media each accumulated in theprocessing (G) in association with one of the gaming machines, andsubtracting the amount corresponding to the accumulated bet amount fromthe amount of game media indicated by the first resource data stored inthe first storage area.
 9. The gaming system according to claim 4,wherein the processing (C) includes providing game media to each of thegaming machines in a common game to be executed when the predeterminedcondition is satisfied, based on the first resource data stored in thefirst storage area, and reducing the amount of game media indicated bythe first resource data stored in the first storage area, the processing(E) includes providing game media to each of the gaming machines in thecommon game, when the predetermined condition is satisfied afterdetermining in the processing (D) that the amount of game media has beenreduced to the predetermined amount or less, based on the secondresource data stored in the processing (B) into the second storage area.10. The gaming system according to claim 4, wherein the gaming systemfurther includes an output device connected to the server or an outputdevice provided in each of the gaming machines, the processor is furtherprogrammed to execute the processing of (F) outputting an image or soundfor notifying a player only of the amount of game media indicated by thefirst resource data, out of the amounts of game media indicated by thefirst resource data and the amounts of game media indicated by thesecond resource data, from the output device, the processing (E)includes (E-1) outputting an image or sound for notifying the player ofthe amount of game media based on the second resource data stored in theprocessing (B) into the second storage area from the output deviceinstead of executing the processing (F), when determining in theprocessing (D) that the amount of game media has been reduced to thepredetermined amount or less, and (E-2) providing game media to each ofthe gaming machines when the predetermined condition is satisfied afterexecuting the processing (E-1), based on the second resource data storedin the second storage area in the processing (B).
 11. A control methodof a server comprising a processor and a memory device provided with afirst storage area and a second storage area and being capable ofcommunicating with a gaming machine, the method comprising: (A) theprocessor storing a data in accordance with an amount of game mediabetted in the gaming machine as a first resource data into the firststorage area provided in the memory device; (B) the processor storing asecond resource data indicative of an amount of game media and beingdifferent from the first resource data, into the second storage areaprovided in the memory device; (C) the processor providing game media tothe gaming machine when a predetermined condition is satisfied, based onthe first resource data stored in the first storage area, and reducingthe amount of game media indicated by the first resource data stored inthe first storage area; (D) the processor determining whether or not theamount of game media indicated by the first resource data stored in thefirst storage area has been reduced in the step (C) to a predeterminedamount or less; and (E) the processor providing game media to the gamingmachine when the predetermined condition is satisfied after determiningin the step (D) that the amount of game media has been reduced to thepredetermined amount or less, based on the second resource data storedin the second storage area in the step (B).